I’d love to introduce you to Jessica Dance — a UK-based artist, designer, and creative coach. In her work, Jessica combines art, business, and psychology to support creative entrepreneurs in building lives and businesses that are joyful, impactful, and financially sustainable.
In our latest talk, Jessica opens up about how, after years of working with brands like Vogue, Nike, Barbie, and Google, she reached a point where she felt exhausted and disconnected from the very work she once loved. What she realised is that burnout is often a sign that the way your creative life is structured is no longer sustainable.
So many creative careers begin organically. You’re good at something, opportunities start arriving, and the work snowballs. It feels exciting — until, somewhere along the way, you stop asking whether the pace, the projects, and the pressure actually suit you. You might be earning and delivering, yet internally feel depleted.
A big part of our conversation focused on Jessica’s belief that strategy alone is not enough. Before refining your niche or raising your prices, there’s something deeper that needs attention — your nervous system. If you’re operating in chronic stress or survival mode, even the best strategy can fall apart. You might avoid visibility, hesitate to pitch dream clients, or undercharge — not because you lack skill, but because success doesn’t feel safe to hold.
Jessica structures her work around nervous system regulation, mindset shifts, and strategy — in that order. When the body feels safe, the same actions can produce very different results. The shift isn’t just tactical; it’s energetic.
We also talked about alignment — and how easy it is to drift into “should” energy: I should take this job. I should be further along. I should follow what’s working for others. Externally, things may look successful, but internally there’s friction. Even when you take a project simply to pay the bills, doing so consciously shifts the energy from obligation to choice.
When we feel overwhelmed, our instinct is often to do more. Instead, Jessica suggests stopping — even briefly — to “drop a pin on the map.” To write things down. To separate facts from the stories running in your head. Without pause, we stay on autopilot. With it, we regain agency.
One idea that stayed with me from this conversation is that safety precedes expansion. When your nervous system feels settled, creativity flows more freely. Decisions feel clearer. Growth feels sustainable rather than frantic.
Continue reading on our website and watch the full talk on our YouTube channel.
All the best,
Egle Karalyte
Brand Strategist, Facilitator, and creator of Bloomerangas
💡 New Bloomerangas Website
We’ve just launched the Bloomerangas website — a growing library of tools, skills, and experiences to develop creative thinking. Designed for facilitators, educators, creatives, and team leads, it’s your competitive edge in the age of AI.
Access digital cards, creative prompts, gamified experiences, and online sessions to bring clarity, activate creativity, run better sessions, and spark breakthrough ideas — starting at just €8/month. bloomerangas.com
