Beyond hustle culture: redefining success in design and life

Examining our beliefs and values to achieve sustainable balance and fulfillment

Welcome to Learn Primitives!

Here's what you'll learn:

• Balancing designing and your personal life

• Examining your beliefs and values

• Prioritizing self-care

• and much more…

Let’s dive in…

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Today, we wanted to talk about a topic that's been on our minds a lot lately: balancing designing and our personal lives.

As designers, we're often taught to prioritize our work above all else. We're told to hustle, grind, to push ourselves to our limits in pursuit of our creative goals. And while there's certainly something to be said for hard work and dedication, I believe that this approach can be both unsustainable and unhealthy.

Yes, society has a weird way sometimes to glorify the ones who work 65 hours a week or the ones that crunch deadlines until 3 am in the morning.

Listen to yourself

So, how can we find a better balance? How can we prioritize our personal lives and still excel in our work? These are questions that I believe are worth exploring.

Setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and learning to say no are all important steps toward finding balance. But I think it's also worth examining the underlying beliefs and values that drive us as designers.

What do we believe about ourselves and our work? What messages are we internalizing from our culture and our industry? And how might these beliefs be contributing to the burnout and exhaustion that many of us experience?

In my own life, I've found that it's often the unexamined beliefs and assumptions that are the most damaging. When we blindly accept the idea that our worth is tied to our productivity, or that we need to constantly hustle in order to succeed, we're setting ourselves up for a life of stress and anxiety.

But when we challenge these beliefs and start to question the status quo, we open ourselves up to new possibilities. We can start to prioritize our personal lives without feeling guilty or ashamed. We can create work that truly reflects our values and passions, rather than just chasing the latest trends.

So, how can we find that balance?

Here are a few tips that have helped me:

1. Set boundaries

One of the most important things you can do to balance your work and personal life is to set clear boundaries. This means carving out specific times for work and specific times for personal activities and sticking to those schedules as much as possible. When you're working, focus on work, and when you're not, try to disconnect and give yourself time to recharge.

2. Prioritize self-care

This one I still deal with this one sometimes. Speaking of recharging, self-care is essential for maintaining balance in your life. Whatever helps you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, make sure to prioritize it as part of your routine.

3. Learn to say no

Learning to say no. It can be tempting to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but sometimes, it's necessary to turn things down in order to focus on your own priorities. Don't be afraid to say no if it means protecting your personal time and energy.

4. Find a community

Designing can be a solitary pursuit, but it's important to remember that you're not alone. Whether it's through social media, local meetups, or online forums, try to connect with others who can help you stay inspired and motivated.

5. Give yourself permission to take breaks

Finally, it's important to give yourself permission to take breaks. As designers, we can be our own worst critics, always pushing ourselves to do more and be better. Whether it's a short break during the workday or a longer vacation, don't be afraid to take time off when you need it.

So, my challenge to you this week is to take some time to reflect on your own beliefs and values as a designer. Ask yourself what you truly care about, and how you can align your work with those values. And remember that finding balance isn't just about setting boundaries and taking breaks - it's about creating a life that's truly fulfilling and meaningful.

Until next time,

Pascal & Mitchell

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Hey, Mitchell & Pascal here! Thanks for checking out this week’s free edition of the Shaping Design newsletter. We strive to send you the best tips and our very own unique perspective each week. Subscribe to get each article!

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