Supporting Loved Ones Through Mental Health Challenges

As a freelance designer, my life often revolves around creativity, deadlines, and the hustle of client work. However, I’ve also seen how important it is to support our loved ones, especially when they’re facing mental health challenges. Whether it’s a friend struggling with anxiety, a family member dealing with depression, or anyone in between, offering support can make a significant difference.

Listen Without Judgment

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply listen. Create a safe space where your loved ones feel comfortable sharing their feelings without fear of judgment. Let them express what they’re going through, and show empathy. Sometimes, just being there to hear them out can be incredibly comforting.

Educate Yourself

Understanding mental health issues is key to providing effective support. Take the time to learn about the specific challenges your loved ones are facing. This knowledge can help you respond in ways that are more compassionate and informed. It also shows that you care enough to invest your time and energy into their well-being.

Encourage Professional Help

While your support is invaluable, it’s important to recognize the limits of what you can provide. Encourage your loved ones to seek professional help if they haven’t already. Offer to assist them in finding resources or accompany them to appointments if they’re comfortable with that.

Check-In Regularly

Maintaining open lines of communication is crucial. Regular check-ins can show your loved ones that you care and that they’re not alone. A simple text or call can remind them that they have someone to lean on. Make it a habit to reach out, especially during tough times.

Engage in Positive Activities Together

Sometimes, engaging in uplifting activities can help lighten the mood. Whether it’s going for a walk, working on a creative project, or simply watching a favorite movie, spending quality time together can foster connection and bring some joy into their lives.

Practice Self-Care

Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be emotionally taxing. Don’t forget to take care of your own mental health, too. Make sure you’re practicing self-care and seeking support when you need it. It’s essential to recharge so you can be there for others.

Be Patient

Healing is a journey, and it’s important to be patient. There may be ups and downs, and your loved one may not always want to talk or engage. Respect their space and let them know you’re there whenever they need you.

All in all, I believe the most profound impact we can have is on the lives of those we care about. Supporting loved ones through mental health challenges requires compassion, understanding, and a willingness to listen. By being present and showing that you care, you can help create a supportive environment where healing and growth are possible. Let’s continue to lift each other up and foster a community of understanding and kindness.

Freelance Designer’s Journey

Embracing Creativity, Flexibility, and Challenges

The freelance life is often romanticized, painted as a utopia where creative freedom and flexible schedules reign supreme. But while freelancing as a designer offers plenty of advantages, it also comes with unique challenges. If you're contemplating going freelance, or already have, this post sheds light on the ups, downs, and everything in between.

The Perks of Freelance Design

Creative Freedom

One of the most exciting aspects of being a freelance designer is the creative control you wield. Unlike traditional in-house roles where you may have to follow brand guidelines strictly, freelancing allows you to work on a variety of projects. You have the opportunity to experiment with different styles, techniques, and mediums.

From logo designs to full brand identity development, you can pick and choose projects that align with your interests, honing your craft along the way.

Flexibility in Your Schedule

The ability to set your own hours is one of the main reasons designers go freelance. You can decide when and where you work, fitting your design projects around your personal life. This flexibility is especially valuable for those balancing family commitments or other ventures.

Whether you’re a night owl or a morning person, freelance design gives you the autonomy to choose the working hours that suit your productivity peaks.

Diverse Clients and Projects

Working with a diverse clientele helps you sharpen your skills across various industries. Each project provides new challenges, which can lead to personal and professional growth. Plus, you’ll likely work with clients from different parts of the world, broadening your understanding of global design trends.

This variety keeps the work exciting and ensures you’re constantly pushing your creative boundaries.

The Challenges of Freelance Design

Inconsistent Income

Freelancing often comes with financial instability. Unlike a salaried job, your income as a freelance designer may fluctuate month to month depending on the number of projects you land. This inconsistency can be stressful, especially when projects dry up or clients delay payments.

Managing finances and saving for slower months becomes essential to long-term success as a freelancer. It's also crucial to set your rates correctly to ensure your work is sustainable.

Self-Motivation and Discipline

Without the structure of a traditional job, freelancers need to be self-motivated. You’re responsible for finding clients, managing projects, and meeting deadlines—all without a boss overseeing your work.

Time management is critical. Tools like project management software can help keep track of tasks, while time-tracking apps ensure you stay on schedule. Building a daily routine, even with flexible hours, can help maintain discipline and productivity.

Essential Tips for Thriving as a Freelance Designer

Network Consistently

Freelancing can sometimes feel isolating, but building a network of clients, fellow freelancers, and industry professionals is crucial. Attend industry conferences, join online design communities, and make sure you have an active presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Behance, and Dribbble. A strong network leads to referrals and new opportunities.

Staying up to date with Design Trends

The design world evolves quickly, with new tools, styles, and techniques constantly emerging. Keep up with these trends by investing time in learning. Whether it’s enrolling in online courses or participating in design workshops, staying updated ensures your skills remain relevant and competitive.

Set Boundaries

Burnout is real in freelancing. Because you’re in control of your schedule, it’s easy to overwork yourself or take on too many projects at once. Establishing boundaries—whether it’s setting working hours or knowing when to say “no” to clients—is crucial to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Conclusion

Freelancing as a designer offers a world of opportunities, from the flexibility of being your own boss to the chance to work on projects you're passionate about. However, it requires more than just creative talent—it demands discipline, organization, and business savvy.

If you can embrace both the perks and the challenges, freelancing can be an incredibly rewarding career path. So, whether you’re just starting out or thinking about taking the plunge, remember: the key to freelancing success is not just your design skills, but your ability to manage the ups and downs of this ever-changing journey.

Don’t Do It.

The worst thing you can do to someone with anxiety and depression is ignore them. They will over think absolutely everything, they can’t help it. They will pin point every scenario that could happen.

They pay attention to your body language. They pay attention how you treat them. What little things you don’t do anymore. They see through the bull shit you try and hide. They feel you aren’t the same because your vibe is off.

But they will keep getting hurt because it is impossible for them to leave, because they love you with their whole heart. They hope things will change, hope you mean the words you speak, hope you will be the good person they see in you.

You will let them down time and time again, and they will lose hope. Slowly they won’t believe in the words you speak. Slowly they will mentally give up. Slowly they will prepare themselves for the next blow. Slowly, you will lose them.

Soon, they won’t reach out because they know it is pointless. They won’t tell you how they truly feel because they know you don’t truly listen when they reach out. They won’t tell you because you lost them.

Stop and Take It In.

Life goes by way too fast. Stop and take it all in.

People seem to forget how to live in life. Being a business owner, we NEVER stop working. Always taking calls, messaging people, hitting deadlines..It.never.ends.

Personally I couldn’t be happier! I LOVE what I do, and wouldn’t change it for the world. I do work for amazing people, helping them succeed in their own business.

With all that being said, life does get crazy and we lose track of taking care of our own health and well being. The little things you can do for yourself, just do them. The unplanned trips, take them. Try and not sweat the big stuff, life is hard but never stop living.

Love yourself, and remember to take care of yourself. It will make life worth living.

Be Yourself.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Don’t Overthink It.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s yours to tell. Evolve and become the beautiful soul you’ve always wanted to be.

I have all these voices in my head that won’t go away. I hear them and feel them all day long. They tell me weird things that make me feel sad. I’ve had these voices in my head telling me these weird things sense I was about 10 years old. I am 30 now..

The voices tell me: I will never get better, I don’t matter, one day we’ll all be dead so why not just get it over with? Instead of waiting until you are older, just do it now? These voices are cold and evil, but they’ve been with me so long they feel like home.

They tell me ways to get by, but I know it’s all lies. Compliments others give me, don’t mean anything. I’ve lived with this monster so long..I never thought it would last a lifetime. What is her name?

My name is Depression. My name is Anxiety. My name is Suicide.

This. is. me. I am all. I will not let the monster inside win, the demons will not defeat me. They will always be apart of my soul, I will keep fucking going.