Oh hey there stranger!
It's so nice to be landing in your inbox for the first time this year 💫
There has been a lot going on in my world. I've packed up my life, put (most of) it into storage and scooted down to the beach with my two fur babies 🐶😺.
This is the year of the ✨ reset ✨
For me, last year was more difficult than the previous two. Everything was returning to *normal* but nothing felt normal. Actually most things really felt quite off. I hit rock bottom and I realised that a lot of things I had previously loved about my life and things that USED TO fill up my cup, were no longer serving me. I was feeling incredibly drained, which was impacting my creativity, the way that I show up for my beautiful clients and my overall energy in how I show up for life. No matter how much "work" I did on myself, or filled my time with things that were supposed to fill up my cup, I couldn't quite shake the feeling that something was off. I had a massive urge that I needed to DRAMATICALLY shake things up, because clearly things just weren't working for me the way they always had.
So that's what I've done. I'm tapping out of city life for a little while to replenish my emotional, spiritual and creative energy. Starting and ending each day with my toes in the sand and the sound of the waves crashing is so incredibly healing. BIG recommend 😛
I've got high hopes to avoid winter this year and continue my travels somewhere warm and tropical 👀🌴🌞, which I hope will bring me back to the city I love, feeling reignited and reinspired.
But one thing I'm trying (and have the absolute privilege) to do this year is to not make any set in stone plans! I am so incredibly grateful to have the freedom and flexibility of working for myself, from wherever I please (ah! what an absolute BLESSING!), so this year I'm going to go with the flow, see where the wind takes me, listen to what my body is calling for and go on a bit of an adventure. It's a bit scary, but equally so damn exciting!
So thanks for being here! I can't wait to take you along on the adventure that is going to be 2023 💫
Anyway, let's get into some colourful inspo, shall we!?
1// How good is it being let into the BTS ofhow great images are created!? LOVE this sneak peek by @tegansmithphotography
2//I had a chat with some of you last month about our thoughts on AI and creativity. I think *for now* it's a tool that we can use to our advantage. But ultimately, Ithink that robots will never have the ability to think, feel, create in the way that humans can. They will never have our creativity and ability to create NEW ideas. They will never have the human touch. This post by @houseofbeautifulbusiness nails it for me.
3// I've been living under a rock and recently discovered @yoomeehealing and I am obsessed with everything. Who doesn't love some aesthetic words of wisdom?
4// Can you tell I'm currently✨ healing✨!? This thread got me 🥺@modernmind___
5// A beautiful client of mine from last year just launched her STUNNING perfume brand @ficifoliafragrances; acollection of fragrances dedicated to Melbourne moments. I just cannot deal with the incredible product photography - she NAILED IT!💋
6// This is a bit of a random one, but I am always so captivated by @nataszko's illustration tutorials. Her content is🔥🔥
The Pomodoro Technique is something I've dabbled in and out of in the past, but something I've been trialling again this year. If you're unfamiliar, the Pomodoro Technique is designed tobeat procrastination and improve your focus. And I can tell you... it actually works.
If you're unfamiliar, the Pomodoro Technique involves working in 25 minute intervals with short 5 minute breaks. As someone who's easily distracted by all the things, my dog, checking my phone, looking outside(???), my productivity and procrastination levels were getting a little bit out of hand. I find that it really helps me to focus in on one task - especially if it's something hefty I have to get to like a brand strategy or concept.
The short breaks help my brain get excited for those distractions as a "reward" at the end of my sprint. I downloaded an Pomodoro app on my computer that sets the correct timing and intervals for me. Here's a great article if you want to learn more!
Thank you so much for being here and making it to the end of my newsletter. I know our inboxes can get flooded with ‘stuff’ so I feel honoured that I have a space in yours 💖
Lots of love from ya quirky, colourful creative, Lize xxx
Seeya next month!
The old work/life balance trick, hey!
I like to think of it more like a juggling act. I don't believe that everything will ever be truly 'balanced', and I don't think that we can 'have it all', at least not all at once.
But, the most important thing is BOUNDARIES. What is currently making you feel like you're off balance? Are you working too much? Are you working too late? Are you going above and beyond and feeling undervalued?
As freelancers, WE are in charge. And often we start our businesses because we want more flexibility. So, my advice would be, start taking charge.
If you're working late, put stricter boundaries in place with yourself - give yourself work hours if that helps. Give yourself a strict NO WORK ON WEEKENDS rule. If you work from home, create a dedicate work space and hide your work things outside of work hours. If you're working a million hours, start charging more - the demand for your amazing skillz is obviously there! If your clients are walking all over you, be assertive. Put some processes in place to support you in saying no or putting boundaries in place with them. If you want more time for exercise, friends, family, then MAKE TIME!
We have the ability to design the life that we want to live.
Start doing it, don't just think about doing it!
I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nations as the traditional owners of the land upon which I live, create, and work. I respect elders past, present and future, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
© Lize Designs 2024
