weekly design inspiration: i did a thing this summer

I did a thing this summer! What began as a quiet experiment in balance has quickly become one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. After giving it considerable thought, I decided to trial closing our design studio on Fridays. In a world that celebrates hustle and glorifies constant grind, it felt almost radical, but we’ve loved it so much that I’ve chosen to make it permanent.

Fridays have become our collective exhale … a deliberate pause that creates space for life beyond design. And the impact has been undeniable: I love it, the team loves it, and we’re all more rested, more inspired, and, surprisingly, more productive.

pinterest

intentional pause

There’s a persistent myth in creative work — and in life — that hustle equals success, that if we’re not constantly busy, we’re falling behind. Over the past few months, I’ve discovered the opposite is true. Stepping back doesn’t slow your progress; it strengthens it. Just as editing a room brings clarity to a space, editing our schedules creates room for ideas to flourish. When we allow ourselves the space to breathe, inspiration arrives naturally, without forcing it.

curated joy

With these Fridays now deliberately cleared from our schedules, I’ve been embracing time to work on my business, not just in it. Freed from the daily tasks and client meetings, I can focus on big-picture ideas, refine systems, and explore new directions. In that space, I’ve been diving into podcasts that spark fresh thinking and creativity and on slower mornings, I’ve been reflecting alongside The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, a reminder that innovation and insight flourish when we intentionally carve out time to think, reflect, and create.

thoughtful living

Creating space in both our homes and our calendars allows inspiration to flow back in. In those quiet, unhurried moments, we often uncover our next idea, our next direction, our next spark. As the seasons shift, I’m embracing a rhythm of intentional living and making room for what truly fills us, savouring the pauses that bring clarity, and honouring the simple truth that the best designs—and the best lives—thrive when there’s space to breathe. I hope you, too, can find these pockets of stillness, where calm, creativity, and joy quietly unfold.