These are the balls I’m Juggling:
Family life with a 3-year-old
Book illustrations with a few pages of end matter and a round of revisions
Book illustrations with revisions
Revised Rough illustrations for a book
Cultivating Ten Minute Artist
Building a Graphic Novel Pitch
This is the Status
Family life with a 3-year-old: Ongoing
1-3 hours in the morning doing a project called childhood, mostly spent outdoors, walking, and playing rain or shine, tomorrow I’m thinking we’ll look for worms.
Driving to some form of enrichment or babysitting daily
Bedtime routines involve endless stories “From your mind” as she says.
Book illustrations with a few pages of end matter and a round of revisions
No fixed deadline, but aiming for roughs midweek next week.
Quite excited to create these few compositions
Book illustrations with revisions
Different book with a different publisher, due Monday
Revised Rough illustrations for a book
Different book same publisher also due Monday
Cultivating Ten Minute Artist
Daily Blog
Community
Weekly Newsletter
Strategy & Design
Building a Graphic Novel Pitch
This one has fallen off, but I’m looking to bring it back in once I finish one of the books that’s close to completion!
How am I doing it:
The project called Childhood happens at 7 am daily.
By the time that starts, I’ve done 3-4 hours of work or some creative bubble time.
The Childhood project serves both as a break and an inspiration. Once it’s done I freshen up and jump back in for another 4-6 hours of work
In the afternoon the drive to the enrichment activity, links to the bedtime routine, then it’s a short wind down, maybe exercise, and an early bedtime.
Bedtime is between 7-9pm
I get up at 3-4
Sometimes earlier, there’s flexibility and naps.
The Takeaway
Well, this juggling act of early mornings, creative bursts, and "childhood projects" is what's working for me right now. It lets me chase my creative dreams while soaking up these precious years with my little one.
It's just my way, not THE way.
Everyone's got their own circus to run, right?
Different acts, different schedules, different energy levels. The trick is finding your rhythm, one that keeps all your important balls in the air without dropping you in the process.
For me, that includes hitting pause on Saturdays. It's my sabbath - a day to catch my breath, recharge, and remember there's more to life than my to-do list.
If there's anything to take away from my juggling act, it's this:
Figure out when your brain's on fire and use those hours.
Mix family time into your day - it's not just a responsibility, it's fuel for creativity.
Be ready to shake things up when life throws you a curveball (or a new ball to juggle).
Don't forget to pencil in some "do nothing" time. Trust me, it's productive in its own way.
You can’t copy someone else's circus routine. But maybe you can find some inspiration. How do you keep your unique set of balls in the air, without dropping the ones that really matter to you?
What does your juggling act look like?
How do you balance all the parts of your life without going bonkers?
Drop a comment below - I'd love to hear your tricks of the trade!
🔓Advance Your Illustration Career
If you would like to enjoy BONUS CONTENT including,
🗺️ My proven roadmap from illustration outsider to securing 10 five-figure picture book projects in 18 months.
🧠 Micro-Lessons on lots of useful topics to accelerate your illustration career.
🎥 20+ Hours of Video Workshops and Discussion.
💬 Vibrant Creative Community Connect with like-minded artists in our exclusive chat. Share experiences, seek advice, and grow together.
🏴☠️ Press the shiny, green button to unlock that secret treasure.