Welcome to Something Out of Nothing, a newsletter about meaning—making it, finding it, offering it. I talk about the writing life, teaching, thrifting, books, travel, obsessions and idle interests, and much more.
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‘Taking Care’ is a questionnaire about how we manage our inner and outer lives as creative people. About a year ago, I stumbled on Ola’s videos—an eclectic, easy-going, and introspective mix right up my alley: design appreciation, interior decorating, plants, travel, and thrifting. So many vloggers in the ‘interiors’ space reiterate the same observations but Ola’s approach tends to feel more considered and authentic to her personal feelings, rather than following the algorithm. Here she is giving a thrifted tour of her LA apartment (including the fantastic couch you’ll see below!). Here she is wandering the Huntington Beach Central Library, talking extemporaneously about design. Here she is wandering LA’s Union Station, sharing about personal style. And here she is talking about niche stuff (like Cosmos, a Pinterest alternative) that compels and inspires her.
Ola is a YouTuber and product designer who loves making videos about home/interiors, design, travel, and the occasional outfit. She is passionate about storytelling, building communities, and creative exploration. She started her Substack, Stay Curious, B*tch, a few months ago as a new way to connect with community alongside her YouTube channel, Ola in a million.
Ola! What are you working on? I am currently branching out and selling home good items that I've collected over the years at vintage markets in LA. I sold at my first market mid-December and I am hoping to sell once a month or every two months. I post to my Instagram stories with updates on where I'll be selling for anyone interested!
What is something you once thought about yourself that you no longer do?
I used to think that my job had to satisfy all my needs, especially scratching my creative itch. I thought doing creative work and getting paid for it validated that I was a creative person. I started my YouTube channel as a creative necessity because I needed an outlet that I wasn’t getting at work. With my channel, there aren’t any limitations besides my skill set and that continues to develop more as I make more videos. I look back on old videos (some of which are private now) and realize how much I’ve grown as a storyteller and creative person.
When is bedtime?
Depends, but mostly midnight to 1AM.
What’s a habit or behavior that feels like taking care of yourself?
Going to the gym is my most consistent form of self care. I go when I feel like going. I go when I don’t feel like going. To me, it’s the easiest way to show up for myself.
What did taking care of yourself look like in your twenties?
I was always traveling in my twenties. Each year around my birthday, I would go on a big trip with a close friend or my brother. Going on adventures to a new country was a way of learning more about the world and myself. It was also a way for me to be more present and just enjoy my surroundings because being home I would fall victim to either being at 0 or 100, not making time to be present because there was always something that needed to be done between adapting to a new city, attending grad school, and working.
How do you prepare yourself to write about/work on/approach particularly difficult subjects?
First, I journal. Journaling helps me seek clarity on how I’m feeling and most importantly how deep and wide I want to go. I write about my own experiences and emotions, then decide how much of that I am ready to share. I like being vulnerable (because it builds connection), but not really personal through my shared writing. It’s something that I’m still navigating. There’s a vulnerability from writers like Toni Morrison and Nikki Giovanni and even contemporary writers like Akwaeke Emezi that I don’t know if I am capable of yet, but they inspire me to speak my truth and experience within the boundaries I am comfortable sharing. Writing in general, I tend to be opinionated, but leave space for solution or dialogue. Regardless of the subject and my experience, I am always curious about other people’s perspectives, approaches, and thoughts.
How do you recover after doing intense creative work?
I watch reality TV, go dancing, take a walk, or spend time with my friends. I need the balance since I tend to isolate when I’m outputting. I allow myself to be unstructured and give myself a break from feeling like I need to produce work.
What self-care advice rings false for you?
The constant need to treat myself, whether it’s a shopping spree or going to a lavish restaurant. I still do those things, but not all the time, plus it gets expensive and doesn’t really address my ‘self.’ If I do decide to do those things, I think doing it with a friend makes it a fun experience where I can create memories with my loved ones.
How do you manage the way ambition feels?
I’m not great at this and I tend to get overwhelmed because once I get this big creative energy feeling, I just want to act on it because I fear it will go away or I’ll lose momentum. I do make lists of ideas and things I want to do, so I can prioritize and not get overwhelmed by all the big ideas I have. I also reach out to my best friend and ask her for help when I feel stressed by my big feelings.
How can you tell when you’re coming up on burnout?
So, things that normally would energize me start to feel like a chore. I have no desire to do anything, but also feel frustrated that I have no desire to do anything. I just become irritable and sadly, I’ll isolate and feel anxious about life. I’m really appreciative because I have a therapist and friend that I can discuss this with as it arises, so I can slow down and reassess.
What level of “seize the day” are you?
It really depends on how excited I am for the project. If I’m genuinely into it, I’m all in and will plan ahead, organize, and stay on top of it. If I am not feeling it, I’ll have to psych myself into it. I will procrastinate because the time pressure will help me focus. I think I am a mix of planner and improviser depending on my level of interest.
What’s the playlist of late?
Music: Lots of jazz, I’ve been listening to Bossa Nova and a great Spotify playlist called Tokyo Jazz Bar.
YouTube: There’s a vlogger I’m loving right now, her name is Juba or Jubiter on YT. She’s based in Paris and currently living in Abidjan. I wished she posted more, but I love how her vlogs have grown and her introspection is great. I also like Becca from WheresBeccaAt, she makes videos about her fitness (running) journey, vlogs, and she started college in her late twenties, very inspiring. And lastly, Aissa Dibatere, I watch her to hear conversational French. And home/apartment tours, of course!
How does money, and your relationship to it, provide care or support?
Money provides a lot of stability for me. I’m hoping in the near future, it’ll provide me a sense of freedom, but right now I’m grateful that I can do things like travel and stay at a nice hotel or invest in things that make my home feel more comfortable. I’m able to have a therapist who provides a lot of support (even though that’s through the insurance from my job, but still). I am able to invest in a proper, emotionally-grounded self-care because of it. While money doesn’t actually provide true care and support, it does allow me the resource to seek it outside of family and friendships.
What are some forms of care that you’re discovering, or want to try?
I am currently doing The Artist's Way and I'm on week seven. This is my second time doing it, but the first time I've gotten this far. I am excited to see what I uncover about myself and my creative expression at the end of it in five weeks.
What’s your relationship to night and day?
I come alive during the night. I love the day mainly for the sunlight, but when it’s time to work and get things done, it’s the nighttime for me. It’s way more quiet and I can be productive. During the day, I just want to be outside or do things that allow me to soak up the sun. I’ve tried going to the library or a coffee shop during the day, and it helps, but who wants to stay in when the sun is out, not me.
What is comforting to you?
I find a lot of comfort in hiking and being outdoors. It is my favorite thing to center myself. I’ll go by myself, but lately have enjoyed it with friends. I recently went to Watkins Glen State Park in NY to celebrate my best friend’s birthday. It was gorgeous, amazing, and a breath of fresh air. Weird to say, but I feel seen when I’m outdoors. I find it being the only thing outside of traveling that makes me feel present.
Any stuff you want to give a shout-out?
I’d like to shout out my friend, Summer! She’s a doula and a part of the NYC Doula Collective, which is currently fundraising to help support other people who want to get involved in doula services. Donate here!
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