Designing
Balance
The Cost of Creativity — and What I Found When I Finally Stopped
From early on, I was fuelled by a strong drive to succeed professionally. What I called "balance" was really just an endless cycle: study, work, repeat. The intense demands of design education trained me to believe that this pace — the constant pressure — was simply the norm in the industry.
Now, looking back on almost 25 years in design, I can see just how much it took from me mentally and emotionally. The business side of design often felt cold and unforgiving. Something inside me shifted — I found myself resenting the very thing I had once loved.
Why had something I was so passionate about become a source of frustration?
Walking Away
At the heart of it, I was burnt out. Not just from the hours, but from feeling invisible. I was boxed in, unheard, and undervalued — with so many parts of me and my abilities going unnoticed. I was exhausted by the narrow expectations and the lack of space to evolve. So, I stepped away, hoping to find something more meaningful.
And in that space, something important resurfaced.
I realised that my passion for creating was still alive — undimmed. I also recognised how much I thrived on connection: hearing people’s stories, understanding their journeys, and helping them find clarity or expression. My core purpose hadn’t disappeared — it had just been buried under years of noise and neglect.
Reconnecting with Purpose
Stepping away from the industry wasn’t giving up — it was a necessary pause. It gave me the space to reconnect with my creativity, rediscover my voice, and remember why I fell in love with design in the first place.
What I’ve come to understand is that true success in design isn’t about sacrificing yourself for the work — it’s about building a practice that aligns with who you are. It’s about balance, sustainability, and creating space for your full self to show up — not just the parts others expect to see.
Designing a New Way Forward
Today, I’m rebuilding my relationship with design on my own terms. I’m integrating all of who I am — the creator, the storyteller, the listener, the mentor. I’m focused on:
Working with purpose-driven people who value authenticity and creativity over speed and spectacle.
Helping others in the industry avoid the burnout I experienced by sharing my story and mentoring those navigating their own path.
Creating space for balance — not as an afterthought, but as a core design principle in how I work and live.
This isn't a return to the "old" industry — it’s the start of something more intentional, more human, and ultimately, more fulfilling.
If you’ve ever felt like stepping away from what you once loved — you’re not alone. I’d love to hear your story or connect with others on a similar journey.