Easing into our work day with a feel-good ritual and finding creative ways to feel inspired throughout the day can make a difference in how we feel and perform. Routines are great but sometimes it’s fun to mix it up from day to day to gain new perspectives and get our minds thinking outside the typical 9-5 box.
Brit + Co Lead Graphic Designer Claire Shadomy shares a few of her day-brightening tips, including working with all the fun and *free* templates, photos, audio tracks and fonts fromCanva. We are all big fans of Canva here because they make it so easy to dream up so-pretty graphics for anything from brand and blog visuals to reels to cards and invites and more. The free subscription alone has more than 500K templates to choose from!
Whether you’re a small business owner eager to elevate your brand, a content creator or a creative person looking for fresh tools to make beautiful things, Canva empowers you to tell your story and achieve your goals in a really fun and lovely way, no matter your design skills. Read on for inspiring tips to make the most of your work day!
Creative Ways to Brighten Up Your Work Day With Canva
Tip #1. Start your day with something fun. Whether it’s a walk to your local coffee shop (Claire’s fave is Moonrise Bakery in Seattle), or scrolling through your latest mood board, give yourself time to feel inspired by what’s around you before you actually “clock in.” It will set a positive tone for the day and make you feel mentally prepared to dive into work without distraction.
Tip #2. Organize your to-do list. Jot down your priorities for the work day, and try to focus on the more difficult tasks early in the day when your mind is freshest. Keep the list realistic so you feel more accomplished and don’t forget to pop in some fun tasks, like trying a new lunch recipe, dancing to your favorite pop song, or doodling!
Tip #3. Supercharge your productivity. Find tools that help automate some of your work tasks so you can focus on what you enjoy and do best. Canva’s free design platform is great for turning work or brand presentations, social videos and more from ho-hum to design-forward without a ton of effort. Use their free templates and fonts, more than 1 million free photos, even 5GB of cloud storage to get creative!
Tip #4. Spruce up your desk. It’s so easy to fall into the busy trap and let your desk turn into a pile-filled mess. Take a short break to organize and clean it (play your favorite playlist to get motivated!). You’ll boost your productivity and just feel good. Add your favorite scented candle, fresh flowers, and a pitcher of lemon or cucumber water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Tip #5. Clear your mind.Take 5 or 10 minutes to look away from your screen. Close your eyes to meditate or look outside the window to gain a fresh perspective as you go into the next task. The clearer your mind, the more creative you will be.
Tip #6 Swap scrolling for strolling. Social media check-ins can be a distraction that keeps you off task, letting your mind wander into what everyone else is doing. Instead, take a walk. You’ll feel ready to take on any afternoon slump with more energy and a fresh mindset.
Tip #7. Keep a good idea list. As you plug away or take mini breaks you may find that great ideas pop up along the way. Before you forget, write them down. You never know what creative spark will lead to a great business idea or way to improve your work life.
Tip #8. Stretch! Writing and designing in the same position for hours can take a toll on your body. Lift yourself up from your chair and bend, stretch, lie down, even for just 5 minutes. You’ll feel amazing!
Tip #9. Reach for healthy snacks. Sugary treats can give you a temporary boost of energy but then… the sugar crash kicks in. Reach for light plant-based or protein snacks like nuts, fresh fruits and veggies, hummus, or hard-boiled eggs to keep your productivity and health in check.
Tip #10. Call a friend. Give yourself 10 or so minutes to shoot the breeze with someone who makes you feel positive, creative, and inspired, like your BFF, your work wife, or your mom. Finding ways to be social throughout your day will brighten your mood and make you feel part of a community, the key to happiness!
Happy work day and make sure to check out all of the fun, free, and *easy* ways to design your life at Canva!