How to Balance It All as a Multi-Hyphenate Creative: A Survival Guide

Being creative is who I am. From the time I could hold a crayon, I was coloring (inside the lines though because Type-A… duh). My journey as a multi-hyphenate creative started early: creative writing and sketching fashion designs as a kid, crafting websites in middle school technology club, running school social media accounts in high school, dabbling in arts and crafts as a preschool teacher, and now, content creation, blogging, and soon—vlogging. That’s not even mentioning all the other things I’ve dibbled and dabbled in along the way.

And here’s the thing... I don’t want to choose just one creative pursuit. I want to blog, create content, launch a product line (someday), and run a marketing agency. I want to do all of the things. Some might say that it’s too much, but I say, why not? The worst that can happen is getting a few "no’s," on this journey, and because I firmly believe in failing forward, I’m never too scared to dive into something. If anything, I think I fear success more than trying something out (TBD at a later time).

But let’s be real: while being a multi-hyphenate creative is exciting and fulfilling, it also comes with it’s challenges, namely, burnout. I’ve been there before, especially after diving into full-time entrepreneurship and pushing myself past my limits. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sustaining this lifestyle requires the right systems, support, and community. Here’s how I’m learning to balance my creative chaos while keeping burnout at bay.

1. Accept That Your Creativity Will Never "Turn Off"—and That’s Okay

I used to think I had to force myself to stop brainstorming ideas and dreaming up new projects, but the truth is, my creative brain will never turn off… and I don’t want it to! I’ve learned to embrace this. The key is to take intentional breaks—not to shut off creativity, but to allow space for rest and recharge.

If you’re like me and your brain is always ideating and strategizing, try setting aside “creative downtime.” That could mean taking a slow morning with no pressure to produce, going for a walk to let ideas marinate, or simply daydreaming without feeling guilty about it. Taking a social media hiatus also works wonders. I’m known to hop offline when I need it. My most recent one was from September 2024 to January 2025. My longest one yet was from September 2021 to August 2022.

2. Systems Are Your Best Friend (Seriously)

I used to wing everything—until I realized that chaos is all fun and games until you’re drowning in unfinished projects. I still do wing it sometimes (actually more than sometimes), you know ✨duality✨. But now, I also have systems that keep me organized and prevent me from stretching myself too thin.

• Batch Content Creation – Instead of creating content every single day, I block out a few hours a week to shoot, write, or plan in bulk. 

• Time Blocking – I schedule dedicated time for each of my creative pursuits so they don’t overlap and overwhelm me.

• Project Prioritization – I categorize tasks into "must-do now," "can wait," and "fun but not urgent." This helps me avoid the dreaded creative overwhelm.

  
  

  

  
  

3. Surround Yourself with a Creative Community

I know that creativity thrives in community, and this is something I’m actively working on. In the past, I tried to do everything alone and ended up burning out. I’ve realized that having a support system of other creatives who "get it" makes a huge difference. Whether it's a mastermind group, online creative circles, or just a couple of like-minded friends, sharing wins, struggles, and ideas with others helps sustain creativity and motivation.

I’m making a conscious effort to seek out and engage with these spaces more—whether that’s through Facebook groups, networking events, Discord servers, or local creative meetups. If you’re feeling isolated, I encourage you to do the same. We don’t have to do this alone.

4. Learn to Say "Not Right Now" Instead of "No"

The hardest part of being a multi-hyphenate creative? Wanting to do all the things right now. But let’s be honest—there are only so many hours in a day (although my ADHD hyper fixation mode will challenge this notion all day, every day). I’ve learned that just because I have an idea doesn’t mean I have to execute it immediately. Some projects need to sit on the back burner until the timing is right.

I keep a "Future Ideas" list where I store all my brilliant (and not-so-brilliant) ideas so they don’t get lost but also don’t pressure me to do everything at once.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot

The beauty of being a multi-hyphenate creative is that you can evolve. What you love today might not be what excites you next year—and that’s okay. I used to think I had to stick with one path forever, but creativity isn’t a straight line. Instead of forcing myself to commit to a single direction, I give myself permission to experiment. Maybe I’ll be more into blogging one season and obsessed with vlogging the next. As long as I’m creating, I’m where I should be.

Will I Ever Stop Doing "All the Things"? Probably Not.

People often ask me if I’ll ever slow down and focus on just one thing. My honest answer? Probably not. Creating is part of who I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I take breaks when needed, I set boundaries to protect my energy, but I will always return to the things that light me up.

If you’re a multi-hyphenate creative like me, know this: you don’t have to choose just one passion. You can do it all—just not all at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Being a multi-hyphenate creative is a beautiful, chaotic, and fulfilling journey. It comes with its challenges, but with the aforementioned things, I believe you can thrive without burning out.

So, what about you? Are you a multi-hyphenate creative, too? Let’s chat in the comments! And even if you aren't, share this blog with someone who comes to mind.