Unplanned newsletter, intentional words 🌱

Hey designer!

How did your week start?
As for me, Monday began gently: breakfast with my family, a short nap (definitely needed after those frequent night wakings!), some playtime, and a bit of tidying up while my little one entertained himself nearby.

Anyway, back to business… or maybe not entirely? I actually had a completely different newsletter planned for today, but here I am—writing this less than two hours before publishing (it’s 13:17 here in Belgium), with my baby peacefully napping on my chest.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the idea of balance—in work and life, in responsibilities, in relationships, and of course, in design. I’ve noticed just how deeply my mood and personal state influence the quality of my work. When I feel grounded and at peace, I’m not only more focused—the entire creative process becomes more enjoyable, and the outcome feels more meaningful. It’s like all my good intentions find their way into the work.
Have you ever felt that too?

In moments when I feel overwhelmed or disconnected, I turn to a few things that help me reset and realign:

• A short meditation with Insight Timer to quiet the noise.

• This talk by Julie Zhuo on the craft of product design to reconnect with purpose.

• The "Slow Productivity" approach by Cal Newport to rethink how I structure my days.

• “The Laws of Simplicity” by John Maeda when I need clarity in design.

• This gentle Lo-Fi I listen to when I need to find flow – works like magic!

So today, instead of a strategy-packed design tip or productivity hack, I just wanted to share this reminder: your state of mind matters—and nurturing it is part of the work. Especially for us creatives, peace, joy, and clarity often translate into better, more intentional designs.

Take a moment for yourself today. Breathe. Stretch. Savour your coffee (matcha for me🍵) . And if you’re designing, let it come from a calm place.

Wishing you a beautifully balanced week ahead 💛

That’s all for this week! Stay tuned for more insights - learn how to transform and evolve your design workflow.

Talk soon,

Lisa

P.S. Have a specific challenge in your design workflow? Hit reply—I’d love to hear about it!

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