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When was the last time you truly put yourself first?
As designers, it’s easy to get swept up in the rhythm of deadlines, late nights, and constant revisions. We spend hours pushing pixels, refining layouts, and making sure everything looks perfect — but often forget to pause and check in with ourselves. The pressure to deliver can leave us running on empty, juggling multiple projects while quietly battling stress, exhaustion, and self-doubt.
I’ve been there myself — stuck in a cycle of overwork, pushing through without giving my mind or body the care it needed. The turning point came when I realised that acceptance was the first step. Once I acknowledged where I was, I could begin to make small but intentional changes.
Now, I want to share some of the techniques that have helped me regain balance — practical exercises that you can weave into your day-to-day design life to protect your creativity and wellbeing.
1. Prioritise Self-Care
Mindful Reset Exercises
The 5-Sense Technique
This is a simple yet powerful way to bring yourself back to the present moment. By focusing on your senses, you can ground yourself, calm your mind, and ease stress. This exercise helps break free from overthinking and reconnect with your surroundings.
5 things
you can see
4 things
you can touch
3 things
you can hear
2 things
you can smell
1 thing
you can taste
2. You Are Your Own Best Advocate
Self-Awareness Exercises
Stop, Start, Continue:
This is a simple reflection tool to help you assess your work and life. By recognising what drains your energy, identifying new habits to support your well-being, and noting positive routines to maintain, you can set clear boundaries and focus on what truly matters. Take a moment to reflect and write down:
- Stop: What tasks or behaviours that drain your energy?
- Start: What new habits or actions to support your well-being?
- Continue: What are your positive habits that should stay?
- Repeat several rounds, allowing your breath to be slow and steady
3. Manage Stress Effectively
Stress is part of the journey, unfortunately, I know it all too well: looming deadlines, demanding clients, self-doubt, and that constant pressure to create something amazing. It can feel overwhelming, and sometimes it takes over. One of the hardest parts is how stress creeps into your nights.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve stared at the ceiling at 3 AM, my mind racing, overthinking decisions, replaying conversations, worrying about what’s next. It’s exhausting and takes a real toll. Over time, though, I’ve learned that how you manage stress makes all the difference.
Reduce-Stress Exercises
Frees your mind from overthinking by focusing on playful, pressure-free creativity. Engages the brain’s right hemisphere, shifting you away from stress and into a state of flow. Gives a sense of release—helpful for anyone feeling blocked or overwhelmed.
- Set: A timer for 5–10 minutes.
- Create: Choose a medium — sketch, paint, write, or even hum a melody.
- Release: Let go of expectations — create freely without a goal or judgment.
- Focus: Keep your attention on the process, not the outcome.
- Reflect: Take a deep breath and notice how you feel when the timer ends.
