I Was My Own Worst Enemy Until I Did This One Thing.

If you’d told me a few years ago that being a designer would also mean becoming a part-time athlete, a nutritionist, and a full-time therapist (for myself), I would have laughed in your face. Back then, I thought "grind culture" was something to be proud of—like, look at me, running on four hours of sleep, living off coffee and adrenaline, barely eating a real meal because “I’m too busy being creative.” Gross, right? I cringe just thinking about it now. But at the time, I thought this was what success looked like. Overworked, overtired, and somehow feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. But I was wrong.

These days? I’m a whole different person. And no, I don’t mean I suddenly turned into a wellness influencer eating açai bowls on a beach. I mean I made real, tangible changes that I refuse to compromise on. I’m talking gym 4 to 5 times a week, no excuses. Not for "the summer body" but for my mind. I walk in stressed and walk out a brand new person. There’s something about pushing weights and feeling your strength grow that hits differently when you’re in an industry that’s constantly critiquing your work. It’s a reminder that I’m stronger than I think, physically and mentally. I’m not just lifting weights—I’m lifting my whole energy, my confidence, and my ability to face whatever the industry throws at me.

Then there’s food. Look, I’m not here to act like I live on quinoa and green juice. I still eat pizza, and you better believe I’ll order dessert when I want to. But the difference is, I’m intentional now. I eat meals that fuel me—not just physically but mentally. You know that sluggish, 4 PM brain fog where you’re sitting at your desk like, “Do I even have thoughts anymore?” Yeah, that doesn’t happen as much anymore. I make better choices because I want to feel good. Not for a moment, but for the long game. And honestly, it’s wild how much of a difference it makes. The clarity, the focus, the ideas that suddenly come out of nowhere because your body isn’t running on fumes anymore. It’s like suddenly realising you’ve been working with bad Wi-Fi your whole life, and someone finally upgraded you to fibre.

But the biggest shift? Therapy. And I’m not talking about “I’ll go when things get bad” therapy. I’m talking about scheduled, non-negotiable, “just like going to the dentist” therapy. We clean our teeth regularly, so why not clean up our mental load too? Therapy isn’t just something I do when life feels off—it’s something I do to keep life on. It’s like maintenance for your mind, and honestly, it’s one of the smartest decisions we’ve ever made. You don’t wait for a cavity to see the dentist, right? Same concept. We’re not “working on issues” every week. Sometimes, we’re just talking. But in that talking, things come up that we didn’t even know were there. It’s preventative care for the heart and mind, and I swear by it.

I know what you’re thinking—“Ok, but I’m too busy for all this.” I hear you. I was you. But let me tell you something nobody told me: If you’re too busy for health, you’re too busy to be great. Full stop. If you want to create your best work, you have to give your brain and body the tools to do it. And newsflash: those tools aren’t more caffeine or late nights. They’re actual meals, actual movement, and actual mental clarity.

I used to think success came from pushing through, powering on, grinding until the finish line. But here’s the thing—what happens when you cross that line and you’re too wrecked to celebrate? You sit there thinking, “This is it?” And trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve won jobs, nailed designs, hit career milestones, and felt… nothing. Why? Because I didn’t make space for myself. I was so busy running to the next “big thing” that I forgot to check in with me. I was chasing wins, not well-being.

But when I started focusing on my health—like, really focusing—the wins started feeling different. Suddenly, I had the capacity to enjoy them. You know that feeling when something great happens, but you’re so tired or stressed that you barely feel it? Yeah, I don’t want to live like that anymore. I want to feel it all. The wins, the growth, the quiet moments where I realise I’ve come so much further than I thought. I want to feel it in my mind, my heart, and my body.

Now, I’m not going to act like I have it all figured out. I still have moments where I forget to eat or get caught in a spiral of perfectionism. But I don’t stay there. I get up, I course-correct, and I keep moving. Because that’s the thing—discipline isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being consistent. It’s about having your own back, even when you slip. It’s knowing that you’re human, but also knowing you’re powerful.

And for all my fellow designers out there—listen up. This industry will try to convince you that chaos is part of the process. It’s not. They’ll make you believe that all-nighters, anxiety, and self-doubt are just "the cost of being a creative." They’re not. Your best work doesn’t come from chaos. It comes from clarity. And clarity comes when you give yourself space—space to breathe, space to move, space to rest, and space to process.

When you walk into a room with a clear mind, you’re unstoppable. When you sit at your desk, fuelled by good food, good sleep, and a solid support system, your ideas don’t just "show up"—they pour in. This industry moves fast, but that doesn’t mean you have to burn yourself out to keep up. If you want to stay ahead, protect your energy like it’s the most valuable thing you have—because it is.

So here’s my advice, from one designer to another: eat the meal. Take the walk. Book the therapy session. Your creativity depends on it. Your next big idea isn’t hiding in a mood board or another all-nighter. It’s hiding in your well-being.

I’ll leave you with this: If you’re designing from a place of chaos, your work will feel like chaos. But if you’re designing from a place of peace, that’s where the magic happens. It’s not a vibe—it’s a necessity. You are not a machine. You are a creative force. And if you want to be unstoppable, you have to protect your energy. You have to put yourself first.

So, next time you’re about to skip the gym, scroll for "inspo" instead of stepping away, or tell yourself you don’t need therapy—remember this: No client is worth your health. No deadline is worth your peace. The world doesn’t need another burnt-out creative—it needs you at your best.

Eat. Lift. Heal. Then create.
It’ll be your best work yet.