Honouring our creative rhythms

Respecting energy, embracing seasonality + supporting capacity

I used to equate success with excess—having more, doing more, being more. Life was a lot. Work was a lot. And I buckled under the weight of unrealistic expectations. But this experience also helped me get to the heart of what it means to honour the creative rhythms of my life and work.

As I distanced myself from the relentless pace of my past, I chose to start anew. It was December 2020, and this beginning took the form of building a dedicated branding studio, where I embraced the paradox that I could move forward with a step backwards.

Until then, I thrived on more clients, more hours, more services. A pursuit that, over time, felt increasingly hard to sustain. The transition to motherhood and a shift in priorities made me aware of how unstable my approach was, though it would be years before I stopped the cycle and stepped away from the business I had nurtured since 2005 and co-run with my partner from 2009.

And yet, deep within my bones, I knew I needed to pivot. It stemmed from many experiences, some of which I share here on these pages, but the main reason was the hope of living in a more aligned and purposeful way.

There has been so much learning and unlearning on the path to running a business on my terms. It's been time well spent, bringing me to a place where I can hear my body, trust my mind, and make choices based on my unique cadence.

But I am, after all, only human. Recently, after pushing through illness, I was reminded of my limits and confronted by the early signs of burnout. I never use the term 'burnout' lightly, though having battled chronic fatigue after ignoring my own needs, I now fully grasp the short and long-term impact it can have.

Thankfully, engaging in somatic practices—body-centred moments of awareness and connection—has helped me care for myself and foster self-compassion, guiding me to a place of deeper understanding and highlighting the need for more rest, more time and, occasionally, more help—a different kind of 'more.’

Respecting energy

Over the last few weeks, I could sense the need to assess my workload and lifeload. Let’s not forget about the impact one can have on the other, particularly when you’re self-employed, home-working, and holding the needs of a young family.

Easily distracted, I occasionally need prodding to go at my own pace and stay on my path. In practice, this can look like reflecting on my commitments, especially those arbitrary deadlines I set myself, the ones nobody else sees or holds me to. It also means looking honestly at anything I feel reluctant to tackle.

Talking my thoughts through with others, be it my marketing or writing mentor, also gives me space to voice concerns or worries and figure out what I need to give myself. More often than not, I already know and just need a gentle nudge in the right direction.

Embracing seasonality

After navigating back to wellness (and supporting my eldest and littlest with their own transitions into tweendom and toddlerdom), this spring is about focusing on the essentials.

Postponing the launch of my Kickstarter for the Brand Seasons Playdeck and Paper wasn’t an easy decision, but it allows for a more thoughtful rollout of the Brand Seasons Podcast. After recovering from two recent infections affecting my speech (a sure sign from the universe to slow down), I’ve now recorded my trailer and the ad for my sponsor. Progress!

There have also been enriching conversations about the seasons of Sowing and Blossoming, and I look forward to recording the upcoming Harvesting and Grounding episodes with guests. I'm also delighted to interview the author of a meaningful and memorable book about creativity and seasonality.

While it pains me to pause any aspect of a passion project, I believe in giving our work (though this feels more like play) the time and care it deserves. More space will only add more depth, and it helps to feel creatively aligned and energised when we tend to our ideas, or they can lose their beauty and impact.

Brand Seasons—in its podcast, card deck and paper form—is the culmination of years of branding and design expertise, business knowledge and insight, so I don’t wish to rush the finishing touches or risk the careful thought that’s shaping the process.

This space is for those who wish to nurture themselves and their creative lives and work. So, consider joining me here if you’d like to enjoy a new way of exploring your brand strategy, styling, and story that supports your version of success.

Supporting capacity

If you find yourself overwhelmed by your workload and lifeload, consider some radical reprioritisation of your own to help you realign your efforts and consider your energy:

1. Reflection: Begin by identifying what truly matters to you. What are your core values and non-negotiables? How much time and space can you realistically allocate?

2. Evaluation: Review your current commitments. Identify which activities are depleting and which are inspiring. Consider reprioritising based on a quick energy audit.

3. Decisions: Learn to say 'no' or ‘not yet.’ Let go of even dearly held projects to support your boundaries and capacity and free you up to focus on the essentials.

4. Integration: Gradually introduce changes that align with your values and support your energy. It might mean tweaking your habits or changing your approach entirely.

5. Sustainability: Regularly check in with yourself to maintain harmony. What feels good? Stay responsive to your inner seasons, noticing when you feel uplifted or depleted.

Of course, these strategies aren’t revolutionary. But in a culture that often values relentless effort over necessary respite, respecting our energy, embracing seasonality and supporting our capacity is part of living a you-shaped life.

Thanks for reading, and I’d love to meet you in the comments to share what resonated most.

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