Have you ever looked at someone’s life and thought, Wow, they really have it all together—only to immediately wonder how they manage to juggle it all while you’re over here just trying to remember where you left your car keys? Yeah, same. But here’s the thing: creating a well-designed life isn’t about perfection. It’s not about having a Pinterest-worthy home, a capsule wardrobe that costs thousands, or a morning routine that involves meditating for an hour while sipping on a matcha latte (unless that’s your thing—by all means, you do you).

A well-designed life is built on intention. It’s about curating what truly matters—your home, your style, your wellness, your work—in a way that feels aligned rather than overwhelming. It means making space for what fills you up and letting go of what doesn’t (including, but not limited to, those ‘someday’ jeans taking up valuable closet real estate). Most importantly, it’s about designing a life you love rather than drifting into one by default—because let’s be real, default mode has never been anyone’s best look.

How I Got Here: The Wake-Up Call That Changed Absolutely Everything

Let me back up a bit.

I didn’t always think this way. In my 20s and early 30s, I was doing all the things—building a career, raising a family, trying to be everything to everyone. I was running on Red Bull and ambition, convinced that if I just worked harder, everything would magically fall into place. Spoiler alert? It didn’t.

I burned out. Hard.

And somewhere between juggling deadlines, wiping peanut butter off tiny faces, and realizing I hadn’t done anything for myself in what felt like literal years, I had an epiphany: This isn’t sustainable.

I knew I had to shift. To start living with more intention, more clarity, more purpose. And honestly? Turning 40 this past year sealed the deal. There’s something about hitting a new decade, this decade, that makes you reevaluate everything—what you’re saying yes to, what’s draining your energy, and what truly makes life feel meaningful. I’m convinced that until you hit your forties you’re just doing research.

As a brand designer, I help businesses create identities that feel aligned with their purpose, right? But somewhere along the way, I realized—I needed to do that for myself, too. I needed to design my life the way I designed brands: thoughtfully, intentionally, and with a clear vision of what I wanted it to be.

That’s how I landed here: creating a life that feels whole, healing, and actually enjoyable.

And if you’re feeling like you’re just going through the motions—I promise, you can do this too. 

What Does It Actually Mean to Live a Well-Designed Life?

It means living on purpose. Not just reacting to whatever life throws at you (which, let’s be honest, is usually laundry and emails), but designing a life that reflects what you truly value.

Think of it like branding. You wouldn’t slap together a logo, pick random colors, and hope for the best (at least, I hope you wouldn’t). You’d be intentional. You’d create something with a clear message, a strong foundation, and a vision for the future.

Your life works the same way. It’s about designing a lifestyle that feels good—not just looks good.

Let’s break it down into four key areas:

No 01: Home

Your home should feel like a deep breath, not a to-do list. If walking into your space makes you want to turn around and walk right back out, it might be time for a little reset.

A well-designed home isn’t about having the latest decor trends—it’s about surrounding yourself with things that make you happy, feel cozy, and most importantly? Function well. It’s about curating a home that allows you to melt into the comfort. One that is fresh and inviting, pieces that are both beautiful and functional, and fewer junk drawers (or at least ones that are actually organized).

No 02: Style

Listen, you don’t need to follow every trend to have great style. A well-designed wardrobe isn’t about more, it’s about better. It’s about wearing things that make you feel confident, comfortable, and like your best self—whether that’s a perfectly tailored blazer or a sundress that makes you feel like you should be drinking sweet tea on a front porch somewhere.

And let’s be real—if an outfit doesn’t make you feel at least 10% more powerful, it doesn’t deserve a hanger in your closet.

No 03: Wellness

A well-designed life isn’t just about what’s on the outside. It’s about taking care of yourself—from what you eat to how you move to how you rest. (Yes, rest. We’re done glorifying burnout, okay?)

This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight. But small, intentional choices—like drinking more water, getting fresh air, and not treating sleep like an optional activity—add up. And as you start to see changes, it naturally will light a fire under you to keep going, keep choosing better. 

And yes, mental wellness counts, too. If saying no to things that drain you is a radical act of self-care, then go ahead and be a rebel. I’ve got a team jacket waiting for you. 

No 04: Professional Creativity

Let’s be honest—work is always hard. But the question is: which kind of hard can you live with?

Waking up early, commuting, sitting in a 9-to-5 you dread, and asking permission to take a vacation? That’s hard.

Waking up, pushing yourself, being self-disciplined, making mistakes, and taking full responsibility for your success? That’s hard too.

The difference? One drains you. The other challenges and fulfills you. 

Building a well-designed life means stepping outside of your comfort zone and creating work that excites you—whether that’s running your own business, carving out a passion-filled side hustle, or redefining your role to align with your purpose. It’s about designing a career (or business) that supports the life you want, not one that forces you to squeeze life into the cracks of your work schedule.

Because at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: Which hard are you willing to live with? 

No 05: Environment & Community

The place you call home shapes your life in ways you don’t always realize—until you shake things up. A few years ago, we took a leap of faith, packed up our family of seven, everything that fit into two SUV’s and a UHaul trailer, and moved sight unseen to a town in Tennessee. Was it terrifying? You bet. Was it the best decision we ever made? Without a doubt.

Your environment either fuels your vision or fights against it. The same goes for the people in your life. Part of designing a well-lived life is being intentional about both—choosing a place that allows you to breathe, grow, and be, and surrounding yourself with people who support and inspire you.

And yes, sometimes that means making bold moves and hard choices. Not everyone—friend, acquaintance, or even family—gets a front-row seat in your life. Some relationships are meant to be loved from a distance, and that’s okay. Protecting your peace is part of the design process, too. Either way, it’s about allowing your surroundings to help cultivate the vision you have for yourself and your life. 

Your Well-Designed Life Starts Now

So, where do you begin? Not by overhauling everything overnight (this isn’t a reality show makeover and we don’t have Joanna Gaines or Marie Kondo on speed dial). Instead, start small.

• Declutter one space.

• Create a morning routine you actually enjoy.

• Wear something today that makes you feel amazing.

• Say no to something that drains you.

• Say yes to something that excites you.

Because at the end of the day, a well-designed life isn’t built in one grand moment—it’s built in the tiny, intentional choices you make every single day.

And if you’ve been waiting for permission to create a life that feels good, here it is.

Now go design something beautiful.

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Hey, thank you for taking the time to read this. I know it’s not easy these days, what with the constant whir of social media and the never-ending scroll of recycled content. I hope something caught your eye and that you feel inspired. If you’re ready to dive in deeper and start curating your own well-designed life, I’d love to have you on my email list. Elevate your inbox with inspiration, practical tips, and curated finds—because let’s be real, your inbox deserves better than the usual junk. See you soon!