The Creative Wave: Learning to Work With Your Highs and Lows

Learning to Work With Your Highs and Lows: Build your design practice around your emotional rhythm, not against it.

The Emotional Waves We Ride Daily

Emotional waves in creativity show up in all parts of our lives, and I want to talk about those waves today. Waves we move through in everyday life—at home, when we’re alone, in company, at work, in rest, and under pressure. Especially emotional waves, because they have such a huge influence on creatives.

Most of us have experienced some form of emotional wave. And if you’re familiar with Human Design, you’ve probably heard about emotional authority. In fact, 53% of people have one—and it comes in four types.

I’m not going deep into Human Design here, but I want to make the connection, because I personally live with an individual emotional wave… and wow, it influences everything more than you’d think. Understanding emotional waves in creativity helps explain why our energy shifts so dramatically.

Trying to Spot a Pattern That Isn’t Linear

I tried to track my wave over a longer period of time, but honestly? No clear pattern. Which doesn’t make things easier. There’s supposed to be one, but my lived experience? A lot of lows, fewer highs, and plenty of tiny »meh« waves in between.

This is extremely common with my type. Even deep melancholy can be normal. And none of it requires an outside trigger—it moves on its own timeline.

So I started accepting that some days I feel down for no reason… and some days I wake up buzzing with life. Sometimes within the same day. It can be frustrating and confusing, but the best thing to do is roll with it.

Why This Hits Creatives Harder

For creatives, this isn’t as simple as »just push through.«

We rely on inspiration, emotional energy, and drive. When you’re low in the wave, the job becomes a monster task. Add self-employment—where you’re responsible for everything—and it’s chef’s kiss chaos.

There are days you’d rather stay under the covers thinking:

Is this depression or is my emotional wave fcking with me again?

I don’t have THE answer. But here’s what I know.

Honoring Your Emotional Waves in Creativity (Instead of Fighting Them)

You can harness your wave—it’s yours. Unique to you. And if anyone can learn to navigate it, it’s you.

Start by honoring it.

Rest when you need rest.

Actually, rest before you need it.

I learned this the hard way (multiple times). When I’m in flow, I don’t want to stop. I could create for hours—late into the night. But it burns me out. So now I try to respect my body and give it what it needs. And I try to spot the highs early and make use of that creative electricity while it’s there.

It can be difficult to know when enough is enough, so really listen to yourself. And be honest. These creative emotional waves need space, not resistance.

Creativity Often Blooms After the Dip

With an individual emotional wave, you’re often most creative just after a deep low. I can confirm this.

One day: sadness, anger, no motivation.

Next day: gratitude, excitement, ideas everywhere.

The contrast is wild—but also beautiful.

I’m actually grateful for my wave. I’m prone to workaholism because I love what I do. My wave forces me into rest before I fry myself. I just wish it was a little more predictable.

Music, Mood, and Micro-Clues

Music helps too. Some days I need silence; other days I need sound. Some days it’s mantras; some days it’s hip hop. All of it tells me where I am on the wave.

For Creatives Who Feel Guilty

So where am I going with all this?

If you’re a creative who feels guilty about not being consistent:

You’re not alone.

You’re not wrong.

And you don’t need to feel guilty.

I listened to Amie McNee’s We Need Your Art the other day, and she reminded me:

It’s okay to do less.

Actually, it’s necessary.

Set smaller goals. Create minimums and maximums. This allows a sense of consistency—even when your wave dips.

We often set our standards way too high.

Emotional energy isn’t linear.

Some days are full. Some days are empty.

Both belong to the rhythm.

Let Your Cup Fill Itself

Invite bliss into your daily life.

Celebrate your uniqueness.

Ride those waves consciously:

• High waves: riding inspiration, expansive projects.
• Low waves: refining, resting, letting ideas compost.

And What About Client Work?

If you’re a designer handling client projects, it can feel tricky—but you can absolutely make it work.

Expand your timelines.

Communicate openly.

We’re not in life-or-death situations.

Permission Granted

Give yourself permission to stop forcing constant output.

Trust that your emotional rhythm is part of your design process.

Even if it means clicking out for a few hours—or days. I have phases where I unplug, stay in bed, binge a series, drink tea. I’m learning that’s okay. Normal even. Not something to feel bad about.

Being a creative is exhausting.

And rest is part of the work.

It’s legit.

→ If you’re craving a place to be honest about your highs, lows, and everything in between, you’re invited to The Designers’ Well-Being Hub. Let’s build a healthier creative world—side by side.

→ We have more posts on designers’ well-being, make sure to check them out.