This post is a slight departure from my usual content, as it focuses less on interior design and more on the journey of using your professional skills in new and meaningful ways. I’ll be talking about ways to use your skills that not only serve others but can also reignite your own passion for what you do.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, especially after introducing my new book, Find Your Way Home, which offers a practical and heartfelt guide to the home-building process. (If you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, you can learn more and order it here.)
As I reflect on the process of writing my book and developing my hardware line, Finery, I’ve realized just how vital these creative side projects have been to my long-term fulfillment. I’ve been in business for over 20 years. I am proud to have spent two full decades helping clients create beautiful, livable, personal spaces. And while I remain incredibly grateful for the career I’ve built and the clients I’ve served, I also know this to be true: doing anything for 20 years can start to feel routine if you don't continue to grow and evolve.
Working as a Creative
At my core, I am a creative. I’m someone who is energized by new ideas, by making things with intention, and by solving problems in innovative ways. But even as a creative, it’s still very possible to experience burnout. There were times over the years when the spark dimmed slightly. Not because I didn’t love my work, but because I was doing the same kind of work over and over again. That’s where these side pursuits came in to reenergize me.
Leaning into New Projects
Creating Finery, a line of thoughtfully designed architectural hardware, allowed me to channel my love for detail and craftsmanship into something tangible. Finery is something that can live beyond the boundaries of a single project. And writing Find Your Way Home gave me the chance to share what I’ve learned over the years in a way that can reach people in a new medium.
These projects weren’t about branching away from design but expanding what design means to me. They allowed me to use my experience in new formats, to challenge myself with unfamiliar projects, and to build something from scratch again. Building something from scratch is, in many ways, the most invigorating part of any creative process.
Investing in Yourself Pays Off
What I’ve discovered is that these endeavors have not only brought me personal joy, but they’ve also made me a better designer. Stepping away from the day-to-day routine to explore new forms of creative expression has given me fresh energy and perspective to channel back into my interior design business. It’s helped me come back to my client work with more excitement, more curiosity, and a deeper well of inspiration.
And this, more than anything, is what I want to share: if you’ve been in your profession for a long time, whether it’s five years or fifty, and you’re starting to feel a little worn out or uninspired, think about how you might stretch your skills in a new direction. You don’t have to leave your field. You don’t have to abandon what you’ve built. But you can build on top of it. You can evolve at any point in your career.
Creative and Entrepreneurial Burnout
Recently, I’ve spoken with several friends and colleagues who have expressed a similar sense of burnout. They’ve been in their industries for years and are craving something different, something that lights them up again. I always encourage them to find a way to pivot, even slightly. Think about the parts of your job you love the most. Could you turn those into a physical product, a book, a speaking engagement, or a community? Could you mentor others or start something of your own?
The beauty of having years of experience is that you also have wisdom. Wisdom must be earned, and with it comes the ability to teach, guide, build, and inspire in new ways.
Think About Your Next Adventure
So, wherever you are in your journey, I encourage you to brainstorm your next adventure, big or small. What would challenge you in a new way? What would make you excited to get out of bed again? Your path doesn’t have to be linear. It just has to keep moving.
If you're curious to learn more about what I’ve been working on, you can check out Finery, my hardware line, and my new book, Find Your Way Home, which is perfect for anyone navigating the home-building or remodeling process. As a thank you for following along, I’m sending all of my email subscribers a special coupon code to receive 25% off.
Here’s to staying creative, inspired, and open to what’s next. I hope this encourages you to take a step off the beaten path. You never know where it might take you.