Work, Rest, Repeat (and Write)

Thoughts on burnout, tiny routines, and reclaiming your time

I haven’t touched my Substack in what feels like months. Why? Well, life has a way of distracting you. Work has a way of holding you hostage. And yep — finding balance? It’s hard.

I’ll probably be fighting the algorithm to find my way back, climbing the slow mountain to readers and visibility. But that’s okay. Life happens — and when it does, you’ve got to give it the space it demands.

Today, I want to talk a little bit about work-life balance. Ha! I know what you're thinking: that mythical goal, always just out of reach. But I want to bring it closer — more tangible. Because people evolve, jobs shift, and creativity ebbs and flows. That’s just how it goes.

So, if you’re feeling overworked — welcome to the club. You're not alone. But here are a few small mindset shifts that have been helping me bring creativity and peace back into the fold:

1. Know your limits.
We’ve all learned how to push ourselves — but that’s not the point. We shouldn’t be pushing every day. I started carving out 30 minutes — either in the morning or evening — just for myself and my ideas. No distractions, just quiet and creativity. I’m actually writing this post during my “wind-down 30” at 11pm on a Monday night. And yes, it works.

2. Rest is fuel.
You can’t thrive under pressure forever. Eventually, the creativity shuts off and burnout creeps in. That’s when I know it’s time to step away — take a walk, plan a mini day trip, have a glass of wine with a friend, or just sit in a quiet garden. Rest isn’t lazy. It’s necessary.

3. Automate where you can.
We live in an AI world — and sometimes the smartest move is letting the tech do the heavy lifting. If a task drains you and AI can help? Let it. Work smarter, not harder.

So — here’s to trying again. I hope you’re doing well. I’m aiming to post once a week. Let’s see how long that lasts, but hey — it’s a start. And that counts.

~ Irma