What Two Years Away Taught Me About Design

When faced with nine different conditions, I had to get strategic. Instead of trying to tackle each issue separately, I listed out all possible treatments and looked for solutions that could address multiple conditions at once. For example, increasing protein intake helped with muscle weakness, brain fog, and cellular repair. Magnesium supplementation improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and supported energy production. This systematic approach was key to finally getting my health under control.

This same principle applies beautifully to branding - the most effective brand elements are those that serve multiple purposes simultaneously. A well-crafted visual identity doesn't just look good; it communicates values, builds trust, and creates memorable experiences all at once.

Sometimes you have to listen to your body, even when it's telling you to do the hard thing. After years of being misdiagnosed and mismedicated, stepping back from my business gave me the space to become my own health advocate.

That quiet time led me to unexpected answers. Understanding the interconnected nature of my conditions was only possible when I had the mental space to step back and see the bigger picture. Similarly, the most powerful brand insights often emerge when we create space to see the whole system at work.

Through careful research and experimentation, I've found ways to manage my health through targeted interventions that support multiple systems at once. The results speak for themselves - I'm healthier now than I've been in decades. Most importantly, I've learned that sustainable success requires practices that nourish the whole system, not just individual parts.

What started as a forced pause has transformed into a complete reimagining of how I want to run my business. I'm coming back with a deeper understanding of what it means to build a healthy, sustainable creative practice – and I've created tools to help others do the same.

I'm still doing brand, graphic and web design and implementation, but I'm also bringing in more strategic thinking and teaching this time around. I'll be helping clients identify their own leverage points - those powerful elements that can create positive ripple effects throughout their entire brand ecosystem.

The best part? This approach naturally prevents burnout because it works with your natural rhythms instead of against them. (Trust me, I learned this the hard way!)

Stay tuned - in the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more about this systems-thinking approach to branding, including a special project born from this experience: the Big Enough Bang Launch Planner.

Need help mapping your brand universe and finding your leverage points? I'm taking on design clients now! While my website is still under construction, I'm very much here and ready to help you create alignment in your brand. Just reply to this email to start the conversation.