Simple Systems That Keep My Creative Life Together (Sort Of)

Oh my G, we all know being a creative freelancer is a beautiful mess. Some days I’m designing interiors, some days I’m sketching floor plans in my PJs, and other days I’m wondering if I posted anything on Instagram this week (oops for real!).

Over time, I’ve found a few simple systems and built a habit or routine that help keep me sane, and make space for more of the work I actually love doing. No complicated apps or expensive subscriptions, just honest tools and rituals that work for me (and might just work for you too!).

1. 📆 Meta Business Suite + Instagram Scheduler = Posting Without the Panic

I love being online, but I don’t want to live online. That’s why I pre-schedule most of my posts using Instagram’s native scheduler (when I have to put music) or through Meta Business Suite for simple posts.

It’s free, easy, and lets me schedule Reels, carousels, and Stories ahead of time.

I usually set a content day, where I design in Canva and then queue posts for the week (or month, if I’m feeling ✨on top of it✨).

Tip: Schedule your content in bulk, it frees up more time for creativity (or tea breaks, matcha breaks for me hehe).

2. 📝 GoodNotes = My Creative Brain Dump Station

I use GoodNotes like a digital journal + planner of daily quests + quick sketches on PDFs + brain vault.

It’s where I scribble blog ideas, to-dos, layout sketches, and mini mood boards.

Some days, I just write “I don’t know what I’m doing, but as long as we do something or maybe nothing (you also need to plan your rest!).”

GoodNotes works for me because it’s flexible, visual, and satisfying to use (especially with a cute stylus and aesthetic notebooks).

3. 🧠 Notion (Kind Of) for Structure and Planning

I want to be a Notion girlie, and I’m getting there. Right now, I mostly use it to:

Track personal projects and goals for the whole year

Store links + blog post outlines

Plan upcoming product ideas (like the Notion template I plan to sell someday 👀)

P.S. Would you love a Notion planner or template from me? Drop a comment, and I’ll make one just for us creatives!

4. 🎨 Canva for Design Flow

Canva is where everything visual happens for me:

Instagram posts, Stories, templates, client visuals, blog covers, you name it.

I set deadlines so I don’t get stuck tweaking one post for 5 hours.

My rule: Design, schedule, move on.

Creativity is about momentum, not perfection.

5. ✨ Manifesting, Motivation & Vision Boards

Yes, I’m one of those people who believe that manifesting works, and I stand by it.

When you’re building something creative (like Wonder Grace Studio!), mindset matters.

I create vision boards for my goals: dream clients, income dreams, travel, my dream studio space, and many more.

Having a visual reminder of what I’m working toward? It keeps me going, even on the slow days.

If you’re ready to try it, check out my free Vision Board Template or Vision Board Workbook for a gentle, fun way to start dreaming big (with style).

🌿 Final Thoughts

I don’t use fancy software or have a 12-step workflow. But I do have a few simple, cozy, creative systems that keep my freelance life just structured enough. And honestly? That’s enough.

Whether you’re a fellow designer, a digital creative, or just figuring out your flow, find what works for you. Start small, be kind to yourself, and leave room for tea and vision boards.

And if you want to stay updated when I drop a Notion planner, more templates, or share my next sketching process, subscribe here or come say hi on IG!