Creativity and wellbeing in business

Whether you're a freelancer, sole trader or small business owner, balancing creativity with wellbeing is crucial for building a sustainable and fulfilling career. However, it's easy to get caught in the grind and lose sight of what truly makes your work enjoyable and successful.

In this blog, we explore why creativity and wellbeing are vital for success, examine common challenges and offer practical solutions inspired by the experiences of five entrepreneurs who've embraced these principles in their businesses.

Why creativity and wellbeing matter

Creativity: The fuel for innovation

Creativity isn't just about artistic expression – it's about solving problems, setting your business apart and staying adaptable. Paula Armstrong of Paula Armstrong Ceramics believes everyone is born creative. She says:

"We might lose connection with our creativity. But I love how getting hands-on with clay helps people reconnect with joy and surprise themselves."

Embracing creativity can be a great way to come up with a unique product or service, devise a fresh marketing strategy and find personal fulfilment.

Wellbeing: The foundation for productivity

A large part of wellbeing is self-care and protecting your health. But in business, it's also important to create the mental and physical space you need to thrive.

Stella Kamba, founder of More Life Adventures, talks of how burnout in high-pressure jobs led her to build a business focused on recovery through nature, healthy food and rest. "The right balance allows you to return with energy and focus," she says.

By prioritising wellbeing, you make sure your work remains sustainable, enjoyable and impactful.

Common challenges (and solutions) for small business owners

Running a small business is deeply personal, often blending professional and personal pressures. In your business, you might be experiencing some of these common pain points:

1. Overwhelm and stress

• Managing endless tasks and decisions can be exhausting.

• It's easy to focus on things outside your control, which causes unnecessary stress.

2. Loss of creative spark

• Routine can stifle innovation, leaving you feeling uninspired.

• Fear of failure may stop you from experimenting.

3. Isolation

• Without a team or network, running a business can feel lonely.

• Lack of peer support limits growth and collaboration.

4. Motivation and burnout

• Self-doubt and impostor syndrome can sap motivation.

• Working non-stop without breaks leads to burnout.

Practical solutions: Insights from other business owners

Here's how you can address these challenges by integrating creativity and wellbeing into your business.

1. Managing overwhelm: Carly Cannings' circle of control

Carly Cannings, founder of the Happy Business School, shares a powerful exercise for navigating stress.

"When overwhelmed, write down everything that's stressing you out. Divide it into two lists: things you can control and things you can't. Throw away the list of things you can't control."

By focusing on what's actionable, you reduce stress and give yourself much more clarity. Carly emphasises taking small steps on actionable items to regain momentum.

Action tip: Try this exercise next time you feel overwhelmed. Start with one task from your actionable list and complete it, no matter how small.

2. Reconnecting with creativity: Paula Armstrong's hands-on approach

Creativity thrives when you give yourself permission to play, explore and make mistakes. Paula Armstrong encourages you to reconnect with creativity through hands-on activities.

"Believe you're creative, do what you love and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities."

Her ceramic workshops show how even those people who doubt their creativity can find joy and inspiration in the process of making.

Action tip: Schedule a creative activity you enjoy – whether it's drawing, cooking or brainstorming new ideas. Focus on the experience, not the outcome.

3. The power of experimentation: Rachel Waring's strategic creativity

Creative consultant Rachel Waring believes small business success comes from blending creativity and strategy.

"Allow yourself to experiment freely. The magic happens when you show up imperfectly and keep moving forward."

For small business owners, overthinking can lead to paralysis. Rachel's advice? Experimentation not only sparks innovation but also keeps you from getting stuck in a rut.

Action tip: Identify one area in your business where you can experiment – try a new marketing platform, offer a new service or approach a problem from a fresh angle.

4. Building a support network: Lotty and Andy Laverton's networking success

Lotty and Andy Laverton, co-founders of We Are Bert, credit networking with helping them grow their creative business.

"Networking led us to a production company interested in making a stop-motion animation of our Wee Bert product."

For freelancers and sole traders, connecting with peers can lead to unexpected collaborations, as well as giving you access to valuable advice and support.

Action tip: Join networking events or groups in your industry. Platforms like Enterprise Nation can help you meet like-minded professionals and open doors to new opportunities.

5. Scheduling breaks: Stella Kamba's recharge rituals

Running a business often means long hours, but taking regular breaks is crucial for maintaining your wellbeing. Stella Kamba suggests scheduling time to disconnect completely.

"Combine patience with curiosity and make sure to step away to recharge."

By taking time to rest, you return to your work with renewed energy and perspective.

Action tip: Plan a weekly digital detox or mini-retreat where you focus on activities that relax and inspire you, like hiking, reading or spending time with loved ones.

Key takeaways

Creativity and wellbeing aren't just "nice-to-haves" – they're essential for long-term success and fulfilment.

By learning from the experiences of entrepreneurs like the ones we've featured here, you can adopt practical strategies to overcome challenges, stay inspired and thrive in your business journey.

Start small – try one of the tips above this week. Whether it's writing your circle of control, experimenting with a new idea or simply taking a break, every step helps you create a business that works for you.

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