Know your creative limits: Mental health and a quality work life balance.
Written by Pete Clayton
Darker evenings and colder weather herald the return of winter, big jumpers, cosying up and the approach of Christmas. With Christmas time, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your foot off the gas, relax and not sweat under the uncontrollable heat you could potentially put yourself under. If you’re reading this you’re probably not a snowman. But if you were, you would most likely be melting into a puddle if you didn’t take a moment to chill out from time to time.
It’s important in any industry, but especially when you’re a creative solopreneur, to know one’s limitations is a must when it comes to time management and burnout. Personally, I’m never one to turn down work and I keep a good schedule, plotting my days and hours out with tasks and jobs to make sure I keep on top of my commission commitments. The only time I miss out on opportunities really is sometimes down to budget (standard) and down to my availability. It’s the latter I’m keenly aware of so I don’t over stretch myself and end up as a pile of cinders after a tragic burnout.
The reality is I’m not a Stretch Armstrong kids toy, and over doing it will only affect my quality of work. If my work was a coffee, I’d like to think I was a strong flat white produced by an actual barrister who knows what they’re doing. I wouldn’t want to be a watered down version of a flat white… that would be a travesty and not to mention highly disgusting. The same goes for my visual output. I value myself as a skills provider who produces creative work of a decent quality for their clients. It’s beyond me to water this down. I am a work horse though. I work hard or go home. I’m full steam ahead for the most part and never work shy. But I know my limits especially when I feel it might affect my mental health.
My mental health
With my mental health, stress is a massive red flag and triggering factor which can leave me spiralling into a black hole of despair. Sounds bleak, I know. Still, it’s important to me and the lovely people I support emotionally and financially that I’m feeling ok. These people are mostly my two lovely kids but I in no way see them as an added pressure. Fatherhood has brought me more joys than bad times and through my mental health struggles over the years they have centred me more than anyone. I’ve been on a journey with mental health and for the most part I am really doing great day to day. My point is that going beyond my limitations with work will greatly affect my stress levels and in turn my mental health and then my relationships with my nearest and dearest. This is not really a road I’m really willing to go down, especially when it comes to my relationship with my two children.
The work, life balance
I’ve been drawing and being creative for as long as I can remember so I'll admit my job is also my hobby. Simply, I just love it. More so, I love that I am a one-man-band creative studio
because it means when I’m not massively busy I can take time for myself and my kids and partner. It means school runs 3 to 4 times a week, finishing early to cook and be present in their lives. In the past I have been guilty of neglecting my time with my kids in favour of my job / hobby. Those days are well behind me though I’m pleased to say. I do work some evenings and weekends though but that’s the life of a creative business owner. However, working for myself means I can do things on my own terms and have so much more freedom and balance. I can do a job I love, earn money and spend time with loved ones.
Know your limits
Admittedly, being a small business owner comes with a lot of pressure. The game is constant and it’s played on a slope. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you're down. Adding to that pressure by biting off more than you can chew can only make matters worse. It’s important to be honest with yourself. Never turn down work I say though. But do try to keep on top of your schedule and see how you might be able to fit commissions in. Of course though, not at the expense of your quality of work, mental health, life and the relationships you hold dear. Ultimately, know your limits and find balance with work and within yourself. Remember this not only at Christmas but also throughout the year on your journey.
Thanks for reading. Pete :)
