There’s a very specific kind of tired that hits on a Wednesday.

Not “I need a nap” tired.

More like… “If one more person asks me a question, I might move to the dunes and live off biltong and silence.”

And if you’re a freelancer or creative woman building a business while also doing life — kids, meals, clients, laundry, faith, feelings, WhatsApp messages, and someone always needing a charger — then you know exactly what I mean.

Because the problem isn’t that you don’t love what you do.

The problem is that your days weren’t designed for the life you’re actually living.

They were designed for a fantasy version of you.

The version who has uninterrupted time.

Endless energy.

A clean kitchen.

And an assistant named “No One” who magically handles admin.

(Laughs.)

So this is your gentle reminder:

You’re not failing.

You’re just trying to run a real life on an unrealistic schedule.

And honestly… that will humble anyone.

The moment I realised I needed to stop “pushing through”

Let me take you into a very normal moment.

It’s afternoon.

School bags on the floor.

Someone wants a snack.

Someone is upset because the wrong cup was used.

Homework is half done.

And I’m standing in the kitchen stirring supper, trying to be calm… but my mind is loud.

Because I still need to reply to a client email.

And I still need to record a podcast episode.

And I promised myself I’d write something for my blog or Substack.

And this thought popped into my head:

“I’m failing at everything… just in smaller pieces.”

Not dramatic failure.

Just little daily disappointments.

Like I’m always slightly behind my own life.

And then it hit me.

I’m not failing.

My schedule is built for a version of life that doesn’t exist anymore.

So instead of forcing my life into a schedule…

I started designing a schedule around my life.

And that’s what changed everything.

Your problem isn’t time. It’s transitions.

This is the part nobody tells creatives.

We don’t just work.

We switch roles all day.

Designer. Business owner. Client manager. Mother. Teacher. Cook. Emotional support human.

And that switching drains your battery even if you’re “productive”.

So if you feel scattered, tired, or like your brain is a browser with 47 tabs open…

It’s not always because you’re disorganised.

It’s often because your day has too many costume changes.

And no recovery time between them.

A rigid plan breaks the second life happens.

But rhythm?

Rhythm survives real life.

Because rhythm returns.

Even after the messy day.

Even after the sick kid.

Even after the client who sends “quick feedback” and then attaches an essay.

The backbone that saved my sanity: protect your mornings like a studio

This is the structure I’m using right now, and it’s simple:

Mornings are for paid work and deep focus.Afternoons are for mum life and light tasks.Evenings are optional.

That’s it.

And if your life doesn’t allow mornings, then replace “mornings” with:

your best energy window.

Your best brain hours.

That’s your studio.

Protect it like it’s sacred.

Because it is.

What it looks like in my real life

We wake at 5:30.

Breakfast at 6:30.

School drop-off at 7:00.

Then I walk the dog around 7:30.

That walk is not just a walk.

That walk is my nervous system saying, “Hi. We’re alive. Let’s not panic today.”

Three to five days a week I add 15 minutes of Pilates or weights.

Not an hour.

Not a performance.

Just enough to remind my body: I matter too.

Then my client design block starts at 8:00–12:30.

And here’s the key:

I do not mix it with growth projects.

No course building.

No podcast planning.

No product content.

Because when you mix everything, nothing gets done properly.

My client block looks like this:

• 08:00–10:00 deep design (no email, no scrolling)
• 10:00–10:15 tea/stretch break
• 10:15–12:30 continue design
• 12:30–13:00 emails, admin, client updates, plan tomorrow

That last 30 minutes?

It’s like cleaning the kitchen before bed.

It saves tomorrow.

Then I close the laptop.

Even when I’m tempted not to.

Because at 13:00, the kids are home.

And I don’t want to be physically present but mentally stuck in an email.

You know that half-present feeling?

It makes you irritated and guilty at the same time.

So I close the studio.

And I switch roles on purpose.

The midday reset that makes me a nicer person: lunch + nap

Lunch around 13:15.

And then…

I nap.

Yes.

I nap.

For about 30 minutes.

And I’m saying it proudly.

Because I’ve learned this the hard way:

Rest is not a reward for finishing everything.

Rest is how you stay kind.

How you stay steady.

How you stay creative.

There’s something humbling about admitting you’re not built to run like a machine.

God didn’t design you to be a robot.

And I used to fight that.

I used to push through and crash later.

Now I pause on purpose.

So I can show up again.

“But Nelett… when do I grow the podcast, build the course, and promote my stuff?”

Great question.

Because this is where most of us panic and try to do everything every day.

And then we feel behind every day.

So here’s what works better:

Give each goal a day.

Not your whole week.

A day.

Create a weekly theme so your brain stops negotiating with itself.

For example:

• Monday: admin + planning
• Tuesday: course creation (Freelance to Flourish)
• Wednesday: podcast publish + email
• Thursday: Playbook/Desk marketing
• Friday: writing + wrap-up

Your mornings stay consistent.

Your growth projects get a turn.

And you stop living in weekly chaos.

The other secret: batch the podcast monthly

Weekly production is exhausting.

So I recommend a monthly rhythm:

• Week 1: plan 4 episodes
• Week 2: batch record (one morning or two half-mornings)
• Week 3: upload + schedule
• Week 4: write the 4 podcast emails + prep posts + Substack/blog

That’s how your podcast becomes a system, not a stressor.

Five takeaways you can use this week

If you do nothing else, do these five:

1) Choose your “studio hours”

Pick the 2–4 hours where your brain works best.

That is your deep work window.

Protect it.

Even if it’s only three mornings a week.

2) Stop expecting afternoons to behave like mornings

Afternoons are for lighter tasks.

Admin.

Planning.

Notes.

Not deep design.

Not heavy thinking.

3) Give one goal a theme day

Choose one day for one growth focus.

Wednesday for podcast + email is a perfect start.

4) Try a “Soft Power Hour” only 2–3 nights

One hour.

Low pressure.

Light tasks.

And some nights, you rest.

That still counts.

5) Pick “three daily wins”

One client win.

One growth win.

One life win.

Then stop.

Even if your brain wants more.

Because you’re not building a business to lose yourself.

You’re building a life.

Final thought (the one I want you to carry)

Your schedule is not there to impress anyone.

Your schedule is there to hold you.

To guide you.

To protect your creativity.

To protect your family.

To protect your peace.

Start small.

Protect your studio hours.

Pick one theme day.

Choose your three daily wins.

And let that be enough.

If your life feels like it’s shifting right now…

If nothing feels the same…

You’re not behind.

You’re redesigning.

And that counts.

Listen to the episode

Links mentioned

• Designers’ Playbook Desk
• Playbook Planner / Shop
• Follow along on Substack