The other day, someone asked me, “You’ve got a lot going on. What do you do for time for yourself?" And let me tell you, it got me thinking.
The past six months have been a fulfilling journey, full of twists and turns I never saw coming. Life has a way of shaking things up when you least expect it. And they’re right—I have had a lot going on, including some of my proudest and most incredible professional milestones.
Over the past six months, we’ve had the chance to work on some incredible projects, including our first international high-end retail space, three amazing food outlets in Westfield malls, and supporting our client in completing their first commercial retail space for Kāinga Ora.
This project really resonated with me on a personal level. Growing up in Northland, I saw how the spaces we live, work, and gather in can profoundly impact our well-being. Being part of a safe, community-focused project that provides supportive spaces for people was truly rewarding.
For me, things started to shift after a lightbulb moment: I needed to shake up my definition of success. Sure, I was rocking it as a creative, but as a business leader and a mum? Let’s just say I was feeling the pressure. I felt like I was expected to be a superhero, effortlessly juggling work, family, and everything else. But let’s get real—even superheroes need a break sometimes.
To find balance, there have been some tough conversations at home—honest and curious discussions about planning, dividing up chores, streamlining our routine, and even outsourcing some tasks. It wasn’t easy, as we both had beliefs that needed to be challenged. But every little change—whether it was sharing the load or finding smarter solutions—made a world of difference and started to reflect in the energy I brought to my clients' projects.
And let me tell you, setting boundaries? That’s been a game-changer. Learning to say no to things that don’t light me up allowed me to say yes to the things that did—like hitting the gym (RPM sessions, anyone?… addicted much, Bridge?!), DIY projects or sketching away in my happy place. Take, for example, that Saturday meeting request. Was it urgent or on-site? No. So, I kindly asked to reschedule. The people-pleaser in me would have said yes! But now, I’ve given myself permission to say no. Why? Because those weekends are for my kiddo and are precious; it’s one of the boundaries I’ve set for myself.
Here’s the kicker: embracing this shift wasn’t just about me—it allowed me to show up as a better version of myself, bringing more joy to my work and to my clients.
So, here I am, sharing my story in the hopes that it might resonate with someone. I’m far from perfect at balancing it all, but hey, who is?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s chaos, remember: even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Whether it’s resetting or rethinking what success means to you, it’s the little shifts that can create real change.
Kia Kaha
Bridget x
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