Life’s too wild to live it on autopilot. “Intentional living” might sound like one of those Instagram captions slapped under a photo of someone drinking matcha on a beach in Bali. But what does it really mean, especially when you’re a creative trying to survive (and thrive) in a hyper-competitive, algorithm-fed, burnout-breeding world?
Is it about quitting your job and moving to Morocco to paint? Starting every morning with journaling and oat milk lattes? Deleting TikTok? (Tempting, but no.) The truth is, intentional living isn’t a fixed lifestyle; rather, it’s a mindset. It’s about choosing your days before they choose you. And global creatives are showing us that it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present. On purpose.
We spoke to a mosaic of artists, fashion designers, filmmakers, architects, DJs, and cultural entrepreneurs from Vienna to Lagos and Nairobi to Tokyo about what intentional living means to them. What did we find? A whole lot of realness, rebellion, and routines that go deeper than “rise and grind”. Here’s what they had to say and how you can bring some of their wisdom into your own orbit.
1. Start with your “No” before your “Yes”
Nia R., Art Director, Johannesburg, says, “The most revolutionary thing I ever did was protect my time like it was Beyoncé’s tour schedule. If it’s not aligned with my purpose or peace, it’s a no. Period.”
Saying no isn’t selfish but a strategy. Build a vision that says yes to depth, not distraction. Before you say yes to a project, ask: Does this serve my long-term story or just my short-term ego?
2. Rituals Over Routines
Kenji T., Photographer, Tokyo, says, “I don’t do rigid routines. I do rituals, intentional habits that help me return to myself.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Not everything has to be a 5am hustle. Intentional living is personal. Sacred, even. Your coffee could be a ritual. So could your walk. Your playlist. Your silence. Try this: create a 15-minute “reset ritual” playlist. Use it between meetings, edits, or client calls to ground yourself.
3. Curate Your Consumption
Lara O., a Textile Designer in Lagos, says, “I design fabrics for a living, but I also design the mental fabrics I let wrap around my brain. That includes who I follow, what I read, and where I spend my scroll time.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Intentional living means minding what you consume as much as what you create. Not all inspiration is nourishing. If a creator, feed, or vibe makes you feel lesser instead of lifted, unfollow without guilt.
4. Do One Thing Every Day That’s Just for You
Ezra K., DJ + Culture Curator, Vienna, says, “Sometimes, that ‘one thing’ is lighting incense and eating mangoes in silence. Sometimes it’s FaceTiming my grandmother. Either way, it’s mine.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Your day doesn’t belong to deadlines alone. Claim a moment just for joy. No monetisation. No purpose. Just presence. Not everything you do has to be “content”. Some things can just be beautiful.
5. Design Your Week Like a Moodboard
Anaya B., Fashion Film Director, Berlin, says, “My Google Calendar isn’t just blocks of tasks; it’s colour-coded intentions. Monday: creation. Tuesday: admin. Thursday: wander. Friday: collaboration. Sunday: reflection.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Life design is creative design. Build rhythms into your week that support your mind and mission. Theme your days instead of chasing your to-do list. Your brain will thank you.
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6. Let Stillness Be Your Strategy
Kweku F., Cultural Strategist, Accra, says, “Stillness is not the absence of ambition. It’s the soil it grows in.”
What’s the takeaway from that? In a universe addicted to motion, rest is radical. Deep creatives know that ideas bloom best in quiet, not chaos. You try this: Schedule a weekly 2-hour “quiet block”. No screen. No meetings. Just mind-wandering time.
7. Make Room for Beauty, Even When You’re Broke
Nour H., Visual Artist, Beirut, says, “Even when I had nothing, I made my meals look like paintings. My notebook smelt like rosewater. Beauty reminds you you’re alive.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Intentional living isn’t about wealth. It’s about attention. Invite beauty in, even when life feels like a mess. Small joy idea: fresh flowers. New incense. A silk pillowcase. Light a candle while doing invoices. Your soul deserves softness.
8. Measure Success by Your Joy, Not Just Your Metrics
Mateo V., Brand Architect, Mexico City, says, “Success without joy is just stress in designer clothing.”
What’s the takeaway from that? Numbers don’t tell the whole story. Growth should feel good, not just look good. Try this journal prompt: What did I create this week that made me feel proud, even if no one saw it?
9. Live the Life You’re Selling
Fatima A., Wellness Entrepreneur, Casablanca, says, “If my brand is about balance, I can’t be burning out to sell it. I amthe product. I am the proof.”
What’s the takeaway from that? You can’t market authenticity if you’re living in contradiction. Intentional living starts at home. Do your daily habits align with the lifestyle your brand promotes? Answer this question honestly.
10. Remember: Your Time Is Not a Commodity
Who said it: You. (Hopefully.)
“You are not a machine. You are a story in motion.”
Intentional living doesn’t require a life coach or a five-year plan. It requires honesty. With yourself, your choices, your energy, and your dreams.
Live on purpose. Rest with intention. Love without autopilot. And remember, creativity isn’t just what you produce. It’s how you live.
