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I’ll be honest.
It took me years to understand this.
Not deadlines. Not productivity.
But how body, mind, and spirit fit into business and the work we do.
Because no matter how beautiful the designs are, if you’re running on fumes and resentment… you’re not designing a life. You’re not creating your best work.
So let’s slow down. Breathe. And have a real talk about how we stay well as creatives in an always-on world.
When Deadlines Run Your Life
About two years ago, I realised just how much of my life had been shaped by other people’s timelines.
Deadlines.
They weren’t just part of my business. They became my life.
They dictated my calendar, my sleep schedule, my energy. Even road trips with my family had to fit around them.
And when I looked back, it made sense.
We’re taught this early: At college. In internships. In agencies.
You work fast, deliver fast, answer fast, fix fast.
And suddenly your whole nervous system is built around urgency.
But here’s the thing:
👉 You can be a designer without destroying your body.
👉 You can create beautiful client results and still have peace.
👉 You can build something great… without building it at 2am.
The Real Problem with Deadline
Deadlines themselves don’t burn us out.
It’s the way we’re taught (or not taught) to handle them.
No one told us how to plan ahead, how to structure our days, how to speak up when timelines are unrealistic.
No one told us we are allowed to push back.
And no one told clients they need to respect our time, too.
I’ve had wonderful clients who plan well and respect the creative process. And I’ve had others who come in last-minute asking for magic with no warning.
But here’s the truth: We’re not printers. We’re not emergency rooms. We’re creatives.
And good creative work needs margin.
7 Shifts That Helped Me Reclaim My Sanity
These are things I’ve started doing—not perfectly, but consistently—and they’ve changed my life:
1. Take breaks before you crash
That blur-your-eyes moment? It’s not laziness, it’s your body begging for a pause. Walk. Stretch. Breathe. Even 20 minutes away can sharpen your creativity.
2. Self-care isn’t optional
Sleep, water, food, laughter. And yes—closing the laptop at 7pm. Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s fuel.
3. Boundaries = peace
Working hours. No weekend emails. Telling clients: “Design takes time. Let’s plan together.” The right clients respect it.
4. You don’t have to do this alone
Community matters. Mentors, friends, safe spaces.
For me it’s also prayer—slowing down enough to hear guidance beyond the hustle.
5. Prioritise ruthlessly
Three to five things a day. Not ten mountains before lunch.
Focus, then move to the next.
6. Mindfulness is a tool, not a trend
Breathing when panicked. EFT tapping. Pilates when my body feels stuck. Paying attention to how I feel instead of just pushing through.
7. Your body is part of your work
Your body is your creative machine. Move it, feed it, rest it—not for calories, but for clarity.
A Gentle Reminder
Yes, we’re designers. But we’re human first.
And if the way we’ve been taught to work is crushing our spirit… we’re allowed to change it.
We’re allowed to plan better. We’re allowed to say no. We’re allowed to rest.
Deadlines still exist, but they don’t get to run the show.
Want to go deeper?
If this episode stirred something in you—if you’re craving a reset, a pause, a way to refill your creative well—
I’d love to invite you to join my 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge.
It’s completely free, and it’s designed to help you reconnect with your creativity, your body, and your spirit—one small step at a time.
✨ Daily prompts to slow down and notice what you need.
✨ Simple practices for mind, body, and heart.
✨ A gentle rhythm to help you design a life that feels kinder.
You don’t have to hustle your way back to creativity.
You just need a reset.
