Home Work: At home with designer and artist Georgia Perry

When you love what you do, as is the case for designer and artist Georgia Perry, it can be difficult to draw a line between life and work.  

“When you work for yourself, you don’t want to rest on your laurels, so I am always thinking of new ideas, products to create, and ways to connect with people.”

Perry has been working for herself for six years, including a one-year stint in her own pop-up retail store, KIOSK in Fitzroy. Since making the decision to return to freelancing, she’s focusing on learning to enjoy the moment. 

“I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself, otherwise a year flies by and I haven’t even stopped to reflect,” she says.

As Perry reminds us, everything is a work in progress.

“No day is perfect and nothing is a failure unless you didn’t learn from it.”

Morning

I get up at around 7am and take the dog for a walk and come back for breakfast at home. After finishing up with the pop-up store, it took me some time to readjust and realise I could take a minute in the morning to go for a walk or meditate, I didn’t have to just get up and go.

I’ll do a quick tidy and organise the desk space before settling into work at around 10am.

I do bookkeeping and admin in the morning because I am at my sharpest. 

To keep track of tasks, I use an app called TeuxDeux.

Midday

I can get so obsessed with what I’m working on that an hour just flies by, so I have really made a point of stopping, standing up, going outside, going upstairs, making lunch, and actually getting away from the computer.

It’s really important for me to take short breaks during the day. You get a lot more out of taking a minute and giving your eyes a rest.

Afternoon

After lunch is usually reserved for the creative work. If I have illustrations due or commissions, I allocate studio time for that.

Evening

I never used to give myself an end time for my work day. The day shift would finish at five, I’d have dinner, and then start the night shift with my laptop on the couch doing emails and research.

Now, I will finish at five and take the dog for another walk. It is a really good way to bookend the day, get some air in my lungs and switch off. There is always going to be more to do, so you have to draw the line somewhere. 

In the evenings I spend a lot of time at home cooking with my partner, watching Netflix, and going to the pub or to the movies. Those simple things are so nourishing for a creative.

Bedtime

I love an essential oil and a hot shower before bed, it helps get me out of the work zone and wind down. I also try and do a bit of stretching.

I’ll read on my Kindle and get to sleep by around 10pm.

Working from home tip:

I make sure to schedule a lunch or dinner otherwise the weeks can just blur into one. I am energised by spending time with people, so I try and prioritise those things.