WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Today, I want to share my personal journey from enduring 36-hour editing shifts without sleep, experiencing neuropathic pain, and losing vision clarity. Let’s just say it's about transitioning from being a workaholic to becoming a more balanced person.
The importance of work-life balance cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to our physical and mental health. Diving into my latest project, I was reminded—balancing my passion for 3D motion design with personal well-being is a journey in itself.
I started working in the creative field at the young age of 19. I was deeply passionate about my role as a video editor, but too inexperienced to realize that I shouldn't compromise my health to enrich others while barely making ends meet myself.
When you're part of a fledgling studio, where everyone is eager yet inexperienced, the pressure to perform can be intense. At first, I was willing to sacrifice my well-being for the job, but over time, such sacrifices became expected, and I was pressured to work late and neglect my needs.
Over the next seven years, I grew significantly as a specialist, moved to a larger studio, and became a motion designer. Yet, nothing changed. I sometimes worked on interesting projects and met great people—some of whom are still my friends. However, this period was not without its costs. I occasionally worked weekends and went more than a month without a day off. I even pulled a 36-hour shift without sleep, only to find out later that the studio claimed it was a team effort in an interview. Was it worth it? No.
You can certainly grow as an artist and find responsible employers who won't sacrifice your health. And I did that. Over the next six years working for TV companies, I managed to maintain a work-life balance, engage in sports, hobbies, and other activities without having to burn the midnight oil or face judgment.
However, becoming a freelance 3D artist led to a reencounter with the old problems I had faced in studios earlier in my career. Worried about paying bills after stepping down from a senior designer role, I pushed myself hard on my first freelance project, compromising my health. I ended up sleeping only 1-2 hours per day towards the end of the project, suffering from an ulnar nerve injury that could have ended my career if I hadn't changed my working habits.
In my 20s, I could manage the stress of constant deadlines and lack of sleep. Now, in my 30s, I cannot afford such risks without serious consequences. I overestimated my resilience.
Moral of the story: Always be conscious of your health.
I’m now doing my best to maintain a work-life balance. It often takes courage to refuse overwork or carve out personal time in a busy schedule, but remember—health is also an asset.
Advice for younger creative professionals:
Don’t overwork: The recognition won’t last, but health issues will.
Maintain a personal life: Engage in activities outside of work like meeting people, walking, reading, etc.
Prioritize your health: Regular exercise, fresh air, clean food, sufficient sleep, eye exercises, moving throughout the day, and taking breaks are essential.
Invest in a comfortable, ergonomic workspace.
These suggestions might sound routine and mundane, but maintaining them takes effort, and it's easy to backslide. However, the payoff is worth it, I promise.
Keep in mind, I am sharing from my personal experience and the specific context of the industry in my home country; your experiences may vary.