If you’re anything like me, balancing design work with family life feels like a juggling act of Olympic proportions. One minute, you’re deep in Showit, perfectly tweaking a font size by 1px (because yes, it does matter). And the next minute? You’re on the floor, putting together a unicorn puzzle with your mini-me or convincing your toddler that crayons are for paper, not walls. Balancing both worlds isn’t easy, but with the right strategies, you can find that sweet spot where family and work harmonize, without dropping too many balls along the way.
In this post, we’ll dive into practical strategies for balancing design projects with family life, explore some useful boundaries, and look at ways to streamline your work. Whether you’re looking to create more freedom for family or gain control over your workflow, these tips can help you find your balance.
Define your priorities – and guard them fiercely
It’s easy to say “family comes first,” but sometimes that last-minute project tweak tries to squeeze its way to the front.
Here’s the deal:
Family Time Boundaries: Decide which parts of your day are sacred for family—whether it’s dinner, bedtime stories, or a weekend adventure. Once you set this time, communicate it to clients. They’ll appreciate knowing when you’re “on” or “off” and will respect your clear boundaries (if they don’t, red flag).
Work Hours Boundaries: Even though design work isn’t always 9 to 5, establishing office hours—even just for yourself—helps you manage work expectations. Consistently setting “start” and “end” times keeps work from spilling over into family moments (or late-night emails) and helps clients understand when they’ll hear back from you.
Using automation to free up your time
Look, I’m not saying you can automate your nighttime routine (if you find a way, let me know), but for some of the design stuff? Automation is your friend. One of the best ways to keep family time family-focused is to automate as much work as possible.
Here are some quick ways to do this:
Automated Responses: If you get frequent inquiries, set up automated responses that acknowledge clients and give them a realistic timeline for your reply. This keeps your inbox under control without needing to interrupt family time.
Scheduling and Workflow Automation: Tools like Calendly or Dubsado (Bonsai is great if you’re in the UK!) allow clients to schedule calls or check project progress without back-and-forth emails. You can even use scheduling tools to batch social media posts or emails, so you aren’t managing them in real-time.
Maximizing focus with “Power Hours”
Life with family is full of interruptions, but you know that golden hour when the kids are napping, or when Netflix has your teenager’s full attention? Use it. This is your “Power Hour” – your time to dive in and get as much design work done as possible.
Set Goals for Each Power Hour: Whether it’s tackling a new design project, updating a portfolio, or managing client emails, use power hours to knock out tasks that need maximum focus. Aim to do the hardest work first, so you can handle simpler tasks when things are more hectic.
Plan Flexibly for Your Week: A quick weekly plan can work wonders for maintaining focus. Block off dedicated times for design work and family, creating a weekly rhythm that keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.
Embracing “Good Enough” (Perfect is Overrated)
We know, you’re a designer, and design is in the details. But when you’re balancing work and family, you have to draw a line between “perfect” and “good enough.” Saving that last round of polishing might mean a few extra minutes in the backyard catching fireflies with the kids. And trust me, no one will notice that one pixel. (Well, maybe you will, but I promise, it’s okay.)
Done is Better than Perfect: Don’t let perfection delay project delivery—especially on details clients may not notice. Balancing a bit of “good enough” with “excellence” allows you to complete projects on time while still maintaining high-quality work.
Simplify Client Revisions: Set a limit on revision rounds and streamline feedback to keep projects moving forward. This lets you wrap up projects efficiently while setting a healthy work pace.
Embrace the kiddo co-working spaces
Sometimes, the best way to balance family time and work is to blend them. Kids love feeling like they’re a part of your world, and if they have their “workspace” next to you with some crayons, Play-Doh, or a sticker book? It can be surprisingly productive for both sides. And hey, their “client” is probably the teddy bear, so the expectations are low.
Make work-time inclusive: Set up a small area where kids can draw, read, or play near you while you work. With their own “workstation,” they’ll feel included, giving you a little extra time to wrap up work.
Encourage Small Breaks Together: Short breaks with family can recharge you more than working nonstop. Step away for a quick game, snack time, or walk to reconnect with family and refresh your creativity.
Celebrating wins and recharging
Balancing family and work means there will be days you feel like you didn’t give enough to either. But if you’re trying, that counts for a lot. Celebrate every small win, because every day you’re working hard to make it all happen.
Acknowledge Progress: Did you wrap up a project, and show up for soccer practice? High-five yourself! Building a work-life balance takes time, and progress is worth recognizing.
Prioritize Self-Care: Running a design business and raising a family is a lot, so make self-care a priority. Whether it’s a quiet coffee break, a brisk walk, or a favorite hobby, give yourself time to recharge. A refreshed mind is a more creative one, and everyone benefits when you’re feeling your best.
Final thoughts: Designing balance on your terms
This isn’t just about “making it work” – it’s about finding a rhythm that’s sustainable for you and your family. So when you get a minute, make time for yourself too. Whether it’s a quiet coffee break, a walk around the block, or that elusive 15-minute nap, recharge. The truth is, we’re all better designers and better parents when we’re refreshed.
Balancing design work and family time isn’t about perfect balance; it’s about knowing when to tip the scales one way or the other and enjoying the ride. Sure, there’ll be days when deadlines sneak up and laundry piles grow. But with a few boundaries, a little flexibility, and the occasional unicorn puzzle, you’ll find your stride.
And you know what? If you’re thinking ‘I just need some help’, that’s totally ok.
I help designers just like you confidently step back from their unrealistic workload, spend more time with their family and still make enough money to put food on the table and go on that vacation they’ve been dreaming of.
