When do you feel most creative?
I think I always feel creative in some way, even if I’m experiencing a block within my job; creativity feels so ingrained in my personality. But, it probably comes through most naturally when I feel content. When I’m feeling good or excited, it comes way more naturally to me.
Tell me a little about your relationship to deadlines? Do you meet them easily? And do you need them to motivate you?
I appreciate how important deadlines are, but they are definitely something I struggle with. Being newer to freelancing, I can sometimes underestimate how long things can take, which means at times I have agreed to some slightly unrealistic deadlines. Then, in terms of the process with anything you work on, sometimes something will click straight away, and other times it can take a bit more time and more trial and error. It’s hard to predict.
Creativity feels so ingrained in my personality
Do you need routine?
Yes and no. I don’t tend to work the exact same schedule every day, but I try and loosely do the same things. For me, getting out of the house and being around others is really important, so I try to do that everyday. I need something to keep me on track, but more so for my overall mental health maybe, than strictly just my working practice. With my work, too much structure can throw me off.
How much do you adhere to a ‘conventional’ 9-5 working week?
I don’t really, and definitely think one of the main perks of being a freelancer is being able to work to your own schedule. Freelance work can be unpredictable, especially juggling it around life. Each day always looks a little different, and I’m grateful to have the freedom to be able to fit things into my day that are important to me.
Do you work better in the morning or the evening?
Evening. It’s weird, I felt almost like a failure for not being a morning person, as I think that from a young age this schedule has been drilled into us as being the most productive. But for me it’s just not the way that I work. My most productive times are generally in the late afternoons and evenings, without all the distractions that come in the day. I feel more relaxed which makes it easier to work. Accepting that I’m probably never going to be a morning person has made my life a lot easier, and I work for myself – so I am allowed to work in the evening! I can imagine the 9-to-5 structure is probably holding a lot of people back.
Too much structure can throw me off
Do you work on the weekends?
If a deadline requires it or if I’m really into a personal project, then yes. But I do try to switch off and reset over the weekends and enjoy time spent doing other things I love.
Do you try to draw a clear line between ‘life’ and ‘work’ or does it all blend into one?
I think when you’re doing a job you love, it can really blur the lines. When I worked a traditional 9-to-5 it was a lot easier to leave everything behind once I was done for the day, but being passionate about what you do it kind of blends into everything. I’m a creative person and love all things creative, it taps into most aspects of my life.
On days when you hit a creative block, what do you do to get past it?
Being honest, I usually just wait for it to pass. There are things that help, like getting outside for a run or just redirecting my attention for a while, but I’ve found trying to fight it can actually make things worse. I don’t want to force things, and my motivation and creativity usually pops back up if I don’t get hung up on it.
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