Do You Really Need to Say Yes to Everything?

I received a message this week from a creative who’s working full-time, freelancing on the side, skipping the gym, losing weekends… and slowly burning out.

And I get it.

Because the truth is, saying yes doesn’t come from ambition alone.
It comes from fear.

Fear of missing out.
Fear of losing money.
Fear of losing relevance.
Fear that if you don’t grab this opportunity, another one won’t come.

I lived in that fear for a long time. It still bites me from time to time.

I said yes to everything.
Every brief. Every deadline. Every “quick favour.”
And at first, it felt good. It gave me proof I could handle it.
It gave me validation.
It made me feel chosen.

But it came at a cost.

My peace.
My health.
My creativity.

And no amount of money is worth feeling trapped at your desk, or resenting a career you once dreamed of.

Burnout doesn’t arrive all at once.
It creeps in quietly.

When the gym disappears.
When weekends blur into work.
When creativity turns into panic instead of excitement.

Here’s the reframe that helps me re-align:

Balance isn’t fixed. It’s seasonal.

Some seasons are for growth.
Long hours. Big pushes. Saying yes more often.
​Note, I use my winter months for this

Other seasons are for sustainability.
Protecting energy. Creating space. Letting things compound.

The mistake most creatives make is staying in growth mode forever, and calling it discipline...yes, this was...and sometimes is me too.

Throughout the year, you should be planting seeds.

That means:
– connecting with people in your industry
– posting even when you don’t need work
– leaving thoughtful comments
– being visible without asking for anything

These seeds don’t pay off immediately.
They bloom later.
Often when you least expect it.

The more seeds you plant, the more options you have, and the less fear controls your decisions.

Protecting your energy isn’t selfish.
it’s how you make better work.
It’s how you attract better clients.
It’s how you build something that lasts.

If you’re exhausted, you’re not losing your edge.
You’re not falling behind.
You’re just overdue some space.

And sometimes, the most professional thing you can do…
is say no, so you can say yes to the work that actually matters.

This week, do one thing:

Before saying yes to any new work, ask yourself one question:

“Does this move me forward, or just keep me busy?”

Things you can do to move forward this week:

• Say yes to one thing that genuinely excites you

• Say no (or “not right now”) to one thing that drains you

• Plant one seeds

• post a piece of work

• comment thoughtfully on someone you admire

• DM someone just to connect (no pitch)

That’s it.

No overhaul.
No guilt.
Just one intentional decision.

You don’t need to say yes to everything to succeed.