Hey everyone, and welcome back to another episode of The Monday Break(Through). Today, intentionally, I want to slow things down. And not because it's getting really warm here in Spain and everyone is slowly getting ready for vacation, but because I have something important to say. And I think it deserves our full attention.
Today, I'm going deep into something we rarely talk about in the design world: wellbeing. Your wellbeing. Your mental health. Your physical energy. Your habits. Your boundaries. Your body. Your mind. Your spirit. All of it.
Because what’s the point of creating beautiful things if we feel like garbage behind the scenes? What's the point of pursuing a career we love if we'll start hating it after the first burnout.
And let’s be honest here — our industry loves the tortured artist trope. The tech world praises those who work 12+ hours a day. It’s simply baked into the culture. The all-nighters, the hustle, the pressure to always be creating, always be updating your portfolio, always be proving your worth. And for years, I lived like that too. I bought into it hard. It's true that I wanted to work that much. I didn't work 14 hours a day just so that I could say I did it. I worked that much and sometimes still do because I love what I do and hustling, the all-nighters are great if it's because you love what you do.
But from what I’ve learned: creative success without health isn’t sustainable. And the best designers I know? They’re not the ones working themselves into the ground. They’re the ones who know when to pause. Who build systems around their wellbeing. Who treat their energy as their most valuable asset. One amazing example is Adam Vicarel who was on the podcast earlier this season and he really works hard, long hours, but he also finds time for himself, to relax, to recharge, and what a sculpt body that guy has. You'd say he spends all his time in the gym and not working. I mean just check out his Instagram, you'll be inspired for the year at least.
So if you’re listening to this while hunched over a screen, eating whatever’s closest, and feeling like you’re constantly one step behind — this one’s for you.
Let’s start with the uncomfortable stuff. The burnout. The anxiety. The imposter syndrome. The pressure. The fake representations we see on social media. You name it.
Studies show creatives are significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges than people in many other industries. And it makes sense. Our work is subjective. It gets critiqued. It’s tied to our identity. And on top of that, we often work in isolation, under pressure, juggling multiple disciplines, and trying to stay relevant in a world that moves fast and forgets faster.
Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s about that creeping sense of dread. The emptiness. The moments where you open your design software and nothing comes out. The cynicism. The detachment.
And then there’s the passion tax. Because you love what you do, you’re expected to suffer for it. To do free work. To over-deliver. To answer emails on Sunday night.
But your passion is not a license for exploitation. Your creativity deserves to exist in a healthy body. A clear mind. A supported environment.
We sit for 10, 12, sometimes more hours a day. Staring at a screen. Barely moving. Often in terrible chairs. With our shoulders hunched. Eyes strained. Jaws clenched. And we wonder why we feel so bad. And after work, we spend more time on social media, still staring at our screens, in god knows what position. We look for inspiration, we look for something new to make us work more.
And you know what one of the most creativity-boosting activities is? Walking. Just walking. A 20-minute walk has been shown to significantly increase divergent thinking. It helps you get unstuck. It lowers stress. It gets your body and brain back in sync.
Movement is not optional. It is essential to your creativity.
Sleep is another one. We glorify people who work until 3am. But sleep is not laziness. It’s literally when your brain makes new connections. It’s where insight comes from.
And then there’s food. Sugar, caffeine, skipping meals—it catches up. Your gut health directly affects your mood and mental clarity. So what you eat isn’t just about your body. It’s about your brain as well.
We live in a world engineered to steal your attention. Every app, every tab, every notification is designed to interrupt your flow. And in design, flow is everything.
Deep work is how great ideas happen. But deep work needs space. It needs intention. And it needs discipline.
So I want to encourage you to create rituals around focus. Turn off notifications. Batch your tasks. Time-block your day. Use the Pomodoro method. Protect your best creative hours like your life depends on it—because in some ways, it does.
At the same time, don’t underestimate the power of play. Of rest. Of boredom. The mind needs time to wander. That’s when the dots connect. That’s when the insights come. So schedule downtime too. And honor it.
Mindfulness is not just meditation. It’s the ability to observe your own thoughts. To not react impulsively. To notice when your inner critic is taking over and choose a different narrative.
Practicing mindfulness helps you stay present in critique. It helps you not spiral when a client says, “This just doesn’t feel right.” It helps you separate your work from your worth.
And speaking of worth, let’s talk about imposter syndrome. That feeling like you’re a fraud. Like everyone else has it figured out. As I've said in one of my previous episodes, almost everyone you admire feels it too. Even the most successful people. You are not alone in that.
But the antidote is not perfection. It’s community. It’s support. It’s talking about it.
So if you’re struggling, please talk to someone. A friend. A coach. A therapist. Don’t carry it alone.
And you know what, you don’t have to do this like everyone else. That’s the beauty of design. It’s not a one-size-fits-all path.
You can design your schedule. Your environment. Your work style. You can job craft—reshape your role to fit your strengths, your passions, your boundaries.
And if you lead a team? You can design a culture that values people over deadlines. That encourages breaks. That celebrates health. That leads with empathy.
You have more control than you think. You just have to start small. A better chair. A walk in the morning. A social media detox. A bedtime alarm. One decision at a time.
Because your creativity is not a machine. It’s a living system. And like any living thing, it needs rest. Nourishment. Movement. Love.
You are your most important design project. So treat yourself with the care and attention you give to your best work.
And now, before we wrap up—a quick reminder. At 18:30 CET / 12:30 EST today, I’ll be going live on Instagram with the amazing Alex Center. We’ll be talking about branding, big clients, independent studios, creativity, life, and so much more. You don’t want to miss it.
Also—the giveaway is still open. One person will win:
• A copy of Made by James by @made.by.james
• Access to all of my fonts from SilverStag Type Foundry released by the end of June
Just check out my profile on Instagram @thetypeconvo and follow the steps to enter. Super easy. Super worth it.
Thanks for spending this time with me today. Take care of your body. Your mind. Your joy. Because, you deserve it.
See you soon.