Why Shaking Up Your Routine Boosts Creativity
Ever notice how your best ideas pop up when you’re least expecting them like in the shower or on a walk? That’s not random. When your brain is relaxed and not hyper-focused, it naturally connects the dots in new ways, leading to those “a-ha” moments. It’s why your mind drifts during a slow afternoon or after a good night’s rest.
To get the most out of your creative energy, pay attention to when you’re naturally at your best. Are you a morning person or more of a night owl? Try out different times of day and see what clicks. Maybe your ideas flow after your second cup of coffee or during a midday stretch. Notice those patterns and protect that time, it’s when your creativity really shines.
Your brain is at its most creative when it’s relaxed, not laser-focused on tasks. Those low-pressure moments like taking a walk or after a good rest—let new connections form, sparking fresh ideas. Don’t underestimate downtime; it’s often the key to unlocking your best thinking. Experiment with different times of day for creative work and notice when you feel most inspired. Once you find your sweet spot, protect it and turn off notifications, minimize distractions, and set aside uninterrupted time for deep focus. Guarding this space helps you stay in the zone.
If you hit a creative block, it’s often a sign you need fresh input. Step away from the task, take a walk, listen to music, or change your environment. These small resets can reignite ideas and prove that sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward. Establishing a routine, whether creative or not, is often viewed as a positive and productive habit. Take a look at some insights from creatives about how they approach their routines.
Working From Home
is Great—Until It’s Not. Here’s How to Stay Productive
This article highlights the challenges of remote work for creatives and provides strategies to stay inspired, productive, and avoid burnout.
Freedom to Create: Why Remote Work Matters More Than Ever
It’s clear why remote work has become so popular. For creatives, it means more time to think and less time lost to traffic. The stressful commute is replaced with the flexibility and calm of working from home. No more paying sky-high rent just to live near the office. For companies, remote work offers access to global talent while cutting costs. It allows for a better balance between work and personal life. Flexibility at its best.
As remote work continues to grow, professionals are demanding fully remote or hybrid options. And, employers who don’t adapt risk losing top talent to competitors. In today’s market, flexibility is a competitive advantage even if working from home has its ups and downs. Skipping the daily commute might feel like a dream, but staying productive and avoiding burnout can be real challenges. To make remote work sustainable, you need clear boundaries. Without them, work spills into your personal life and throws off your balance.
If 2024 has shown us anything, it’s that remote and flexible work arrangements are essential for attracting and retaining top talent. But is working from home unproductive? Not at all. In fact, studies show that, when managed effectively, remote work can actually boost productivity far from the stereotype of someone lounging in pajamas and watching videos.
The first step? Create a dedicated workspace.
Setting Up Your
Ideal Home Office: Tips for
Creative Spaces
Your home office should be more than a makeshift desk and laptop, it should inspire creativity and boost productivity. A well-designed space reflects who you are and fuels your imagination while keeping you focused.
Start with the basics: an ergonomic setup. Invest in a good chair to keep your back happy and set your desk at the right height for proper posture. As Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” So, create a space where your mind feels free to play and innovate. Equip your office with tools that support productivity like a large monitor for detailed projects, noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions, and functional furniture that keeps you comfortable. Remember, this isn’t just a workspace; it’s your creative haven. So throw in whatever sparks joy plants, art, quirky knick-knacks whatever makes you look forward to sitting down and getting stuff done. It’s your space, so make it feel like it.
To keep your workflow smooth and avoid burnout, you need a solid plan. Let’s look at practical strategies to set you up for success.
4 Ways to Manage Work-from-Home Burnout
Separating work from personal life is a challenge when you’re at home. That’s why having a dedicated space you use only for work is essential. When your workday ends, shut down your computer and step away. This simple habit helps you mentally switch off and maintain boundaries between your professional and personal time.
Prioritise self-care!
1. Set "Business" Hours
The most productive remote workers set clear boundaries between work and personal time. Create a consistent schedule for your work hours and stick to it, even if you allow some flexibility for breaks. If a work idea pops up after hours, jot it down and revisit it when your “office” reopens. Avoid responding to work notifications outside your set hours, and communicate your schedule to your team while respecting theirs.
A structured routine not only helps prevent overworking but also promotes a healthier work-life balance. Use your breaks intentionally: step away from your desk, enjoy a proper meal, or take a moment to recharge, anything but eating in front of your laptop.
Here are some helpful apps to keep you on track and support your well-being:
-
Workrave: Monitors your screen time and suggests breaks to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
-
Fabulous: Helps you build healthy habits with science-based coaching, daily routines, and mindfulness exercises.
-
Tangerine: Tracks habits, mood, and journaling to support personal growth.
-
Toggl Track: Tracks time spent on tasks to analyze and improve your productivity.
-
RescueTime: Provides insights into how you spend your day, helping you identify time-wasters and boost focus.
-
Forest: Keeps you focused by growing virtual trees while you work. If you leave the task, the tree withers—no one wants to be responsible for that.
With the right tools and structure, it’s easier to stay productive, maintain balance, and protect your well-being while working remotely.
2. Create a Post-Work Ritual
A simple ritual to mark the end of your workday can help you mentally disconnect and transition into personal time. It could be reviewing your completed tasks, setting priorities for the next day, or saying a small closing mantra. Sounds like tomorrow’s problem. Kidding... but yeah, basically. For instance, writer Cal Newport ends his day by checking his schedule, shutting down his computer, and saying, “Schedule shutdown… complete.” This intentional act tells his brain that work is officially done.
Find a ritual that works for you, something that brings peace of mind and signals it’s time to relax.
Here are a few apps that can help you wind down and care for your well-being:
-
WithU: Audio-guided workouts, including yoga, strength training, and cardio, led by expert coaches.
-
7 Minute Workout: Perfect for busy schedules—short, effective workouts you can do anywhere.
-
MyFitnessPal: Tracks diet, exercise, and nutrition to support your health goals and daily balance.
A clear end to your workday makes it easier to step away and focus on yourself because you’ve earned it.
3. Change Devices When You Change Modes
To keep work and personal life separate, switch devices when you switch modes. Use a dedicated laptop or phone for work and separate devices for personal use. If that’s not an option, create distinct user accounts on your device, one for work, one for leisure. This simple habit adds just enough friction to stop you from slipping back into “work mode.” Logging out of work apps or physically switching devices makes it easier to unplug and protect your personal time.
4. Spend Time Outside
Nature is a powerful reset button. Studies show that time spent around trees, plants, or water reduces stress and boosts happiness. A short walk around your neighborhood, a local park, or even your backyard can be far more refreshing than another scroll through your phone.
Even on busy or exhausting days, stepping outside for just a few minutes can make a big difference. And don’t neglect your off days and annual leave, take full advantage of that time to reset. Using your time off isn’t indulgent; it’s essential for your well-being and long-term productivity. For creative agencies, the challenge is balancing curiosity with care. Leaders must create environments that encourage meaningful cultural exchange while teaching teams how to engage thoughtfully. This involves honoring cultural nuances, avoiding superficial representation, and staying accountable to the communities they represent.
Time Management:
Work Smarter,
Not Harder
Time management isn’t just a skill, it’s a game-changer. As Peter Drucker said, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” Here’s how to take control of your time and maximize both productivity and peace of mind: follow this simple hack to stay focused and boost productivity.
When your day feels chaotic, these two strategies can help you prioritize and stay on track:
The Eisenhower Matrix
Sort your tasks into four categories to focus on what truly matters:
-
Do First: Urgent and important—tackle these immediately.
-
Schedule: Important but not urgent—plan these for later.
-
Delegate: Urgent but not important—pass them off if you can.
-
Avoid: Neither urgent nor important—eliminate or minimize these tasks.
By zeroing in on the urgent and important, you’ll spend less time on distractions and more time on meaningful work.
The 18-Minute Rule:
Break your day into simple, manageable steps:
-
5 Minutes: Plan your priorities at the start of the day.
-
1 Minute Per Hour: Take quick check-ins to assess your progress and refocus.
-
5 Minutes: End the day with a reflection—review what you accomplished and set intentions for tomorrow.
3. Another simple example of prioritizing tasks is
the 10-10-10 rule.
This method helps you asses. the significance of a decision or task by considering its impact over three distinct time frames.
Ask yourself:
-
Will this matter in 10 minutes? Does it need immediate attention, or can it wait?
-
Will this matter in 10 weeks? Will it affect your short-term plans or goals?
-
Will this matter in 10 years? Does it contribute to your long-term success or growth?
This approach helps you focus on what truly matters and avoid wasting energy on fleeting concerns.
4. Another helpful method is using a "body double." This refers to a friend or colleague with whom you discuss your tasks for the day and hold each other accountable, even if they are not your manager. Your body double can be virtual or in person, perhaps working alongside you at a café or library. They don’t need to share your job or workplace.
Why It Works: The Creative Benefits of Ditching the Office
Remote work isn’t just about skipping the commute, it’s about being creative while creating on your own terms. Without the distractions of a traditional office, you have the freedom to design a workspace that fuels your creativity, follows your natural rhythms, and lets you slip into deep focus without interruptions.
Both the 10-10-10 rule and the body double technique have been especially effective for neurodivergent individuals dealing with procrastination or decision paralysis. But they’re just the start. When combined with solid habits, these methods help cut through mental clutter, keeping you focused, reducing stress, and creating a smoother workflow. As tasks get checked off and progress becomes visible, you’ll feel more confident, productive, and in control of your day.
Remote work offers freedom, flexibility, and room to create, but it also comes with challenges. From burnout to creative blocks, staying motivated and focused requires intentional habits and a supportive routine.
The key? Balance. Protect your boundaries, build a workspace that inspires you, and pay attention to when your creativity naturally shines. Prioritize self-care, step outside when you need a reset, and use tools that help you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. Being a remote storyteller means blending structure with creativity. By managing your time wisely, protecting your energy, and embracing moments of rest, you’ll not only produce better work, you’ll actually enjoy the process. After all, your creativity thrives when you do.
Written by Debora Deva
Debbie is a writer, art director, and multidisciplinary creative at TOML Collective. With a background in advertising, she brings fresh perspectives to the journal — aiming to educate, question, and spark new ideas.
Get in touch with debora@tomlcollective.com