How I’m Trying to Balance Self-Publishing With a Full-Time Job (and Where I’m Struggling)

So… how do I balance self-publishing with a full-time job? 
Apparently, I haven’t figured out how to do it very well. 

I am living proof that you can do both. But balance—that’s where I struggle. 

Over the last year, after teaching myself how to illustrate my own stories, I’ve been flooded with ideas. So many, in fact, that I started writing everything down out of fear I’d forget them. The problem is, I’m the type of person who has a hard time resting when there are unfinished tasks. Once I get going, I become laser-focused. 

While I can shut that part of my brain off between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for my full-time job, once I clock out, it’s immediately on to the next story or illustration. I’ve lost sleep, or had to force myself to stop just so I could be effective at the job that supports my life. Over time, self-publishing began to consume nearly all of my time outside of work. I stopped exercising—aside from walking my dog, Snoopi—and as a result, I’ve gained about 10 pounds in the past year. 

I told myself that if I just worked hard enough and knocked out these stories, I could finally relax. I assumed the heavy lifting would end and the work would be limited mostly to marketing. But I’m starting to realize that may not be how this works. The ideas don’t stop coming—so apparently, I’m the one who has to slow down. 

Even though I struggle with balance, I have learned that scheduling matters. Having a plan for your time is essential. Each day, I keep a planner with a short list of three to five tasks to work on or accomplish. That way, when I’m using time that belongs to me, I’m using it intentionally instead of spinning my wheels. 

Rest is just as important. Self-publishing is mentally exhausting. It’s not only writing—it’s planning, illustrating, reviewing, editing, social media, web design, marketing, and so much more. While it may not be physically demanding, it can leave you just as tired. Time also has a way of disappearing when you’re deep into a creative flow, so setting a stopping point is critical. Tools like a Pomodoro timer can help create natural breaks and prevent burnout. 

As I look ahead to 2026, my goal is simple: ease off the accelerator. I want to slow down and make room for things I’ve pushed aside—like exercise and rest—because physical and mental health matter just as much as productivity. 

I don’t have this balance thing figured out yet. But I’m learning that building something meaningful doesn’t have to come at the cost of myself. And maybe that awareness is the first step toward doing things differently.