As a self-employed designer, one of the greatest gifts I’ve gained is the freedom to structure my days in a way that feels natural and sustainable. I can work when and where I choose, whether that’s a focused morning at my desk, a quiet Sunday afternoon, or a midweek break to take care of life outside of work.

This kind of flexibility wasn’t always part of my reality. Before running my own business, I spent years working in structured environments. There was a decade in office jobs and then six years as a high school teacher. Those schedules were set by someone else, down to the minute.

So when I stepped into the world of self-employment, the openness was both empowering and a little disorienting. Should I feel guilty for taking a morning off to clean my house? How would I make up for the lost work hours? Would I be more “successful” if I created a strict routine?

Over time, I’ve found an answer that works for me: I follow my intuition.

That means listening to what my body and inner voice are telling me—not just sticking to a plan because it looks productive on paper. I’ve learned that I do my best creative work in the mornings, so I tend to save that time for design and deep-focus projects. Meetings and emails are easier for me later in the day.

But some days, I wake up feeling off. Pushing through doesn’t help. So instead of forcing productivity, I give myself what I need—sometimes that’s a walk, a few minutes of meditation, or just sitting outside with my feet on the ground. And you know what? When I come back to work, I’m clearer, more present, and ready to do my best thinking.

We’re often taught that structure equals success. But I believe that for creative entrepreneurs, success can also come from listening—really listening—to our inner rhythms. Our bodies are wise. Our energy matters. And when we honor that, our work reflects it.