Burnout, boundaries & building a creative life that breathes * Creative Boom interview
Reflections from my Creative Boom Interview
When I first got the email from Creative Boom asking if I’d like to be part of the ‘In Her Own Words’ series, I felt two things at once: excitement (obviously… it’s Creative Boom 🤯), and a little bit of worry as I always pride myself in being honest and authentic. And I can’t tell my story to founding the studio without talking about burnout. So I said yes and have shared very candidly about my experience. Because this is a conversation we need to keep having.
‘The Hustle’ trap: how I got here
Like many creatives I know, I grew up believing that working hard was the key to everything. And I did. I worked really hard. I pushed through exhaustion. I delivered on unrealistic timelines. I said yes to too much. I thought boundaries were for people who didn’t love what they do.
Spoiler: that mindset doesn’t scale. Eventually, something has to give and for me, it was my energy, my clarity, and that vital spark I used to bring to every project. The work started feeling heavy. The joy I’d built my studio on started to dull.
This isn’t a dramatic burnout story. No crash, no hospitalisation. Just a slow, steady erosion of energy and purpose that I nearly didn’t notice because I was too busy answering emails at midnight.
What burnout really looks like (it’s not always flames)
One of the things I shared with Creative Boom is how sneaky burnout can be. It’s not always a blaze. Sometimes it’s a quiet smoulder. You’re technically “functioning,” but everything takes twice as long. You’re doing the work, but not really feeling it. You’re in meetings, but not really present. You’re creatively tapped out, even when the calendar says “light week.”
For a long time, I thought I was just being slow, or lazy, or not cut out for this. But actually? I was burnt out. And I needed to rebuild not just my schedule, but my entire approach to creativity.
The shift: from doing it all to doing it right
So I made changes. Not all at once. Not perfectly. But intentionally. I set boundaries. I redesigned my workday around energy rather than hours. I took days off without guilt (I’m still working on this one, honestly). I made peace with saying no and started saying yes to the right things.
I also stopped pretending that “balance” meant doing everything at 100%. It doesn’t. Sometimes balance means going all-in on a project you love, and then spending the next week in a creative cocoon. Sometimes it means leaving emails unread for 24 hours because your brain needs stillness more than speed.
Designing a life that has space in it
The interview ended up being one of the most honest public conversations I’ve had about what it really means to build a creative life that has room to breathe.
Here’s what I shared and what I’ve learned the hard way:
1. Boundaries Are a Form of Creative Protection
They’re not walls. They’re filters. They keep the noise out and the energy in. Saying no to a client who doesn’t align? That’s not rude — that’s self-respect. Taking weekends off? That’s not slacking — it’s fuel for your best work.
2. Burnout Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken
It means something needs to change. That’s it. You’re not less talented. You’re not failing. You’re just being asked (by your body, your brain, your nervous system) to do things differently.
3. You Can Still Be Ambitious and Choose Peace
The industry can be very loud. Awards, launches, six-figure months, hustle talk. But there’s room for a softer version of success too — one that’s measured in impact, not just income. One that leaves you inspired, not depleted.
4. Slowing Down Can Actually Be a Business Strategy
Pausing isn’t the same as stalling. In fact, some of my biggest studio wins came after I stopped trying to chase every lead and started trusting that the right work finds you when you’re doing your best work.
Why this matters
I didn’t start Ferrgood Studio just to create beautiful visuals. I started it because I wanted to tell honest stories for clients, and for myself. The brands I work with are often in the same boat: passionate, mission-driven, trying to make an impact without losing themselves in the process.
Burnout is one of the biggest creative blocks I see and it’s not just about time or workload. It’s about alignment. It’s about doing work that reflects your values. It’s about creating space for yourself inside your own business.
If sharing this helps even one person feel seen, or take a breath, or say no to something that’s not quite right, then it’s worth it.
What’s next
I’m still figuring it out, like all of us. But I’m excited. For a slower, richer kind of creativity. For clients who get it. For a studio that creates, but also feels.
Big thanks to Abbey Bamford and the incredible Creative Boom team for holding space for this conversation. You can read the full interview here.
If you’re a creative feeling a bit crispy around the edges, know that you’re not alone. And know that you can still build something brilliant from a softer place.
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