A Neurodivergent Creative Routine: How I Structure My Design Days

Jo Phillips
Dec 8, 2025
4 min read

There’s no one right way to be a designer.

As a neurodivergent artist, I’ve learned that traditional creative routines don’t always fit the way my brain works. Over time, I’ve developed a rhythm that supports both my creativity and my wellbeing. The result is a practice that feels sustainable, flexible, and deeply aligned with my design work.

This post is a glimpse into how I work as a neurodivergent designer and how I structure my days to get the very best out of my energy and focus.

Whether you’re a fellow creative, a brand considering working with neurodivergent designers, or simply curious about what a different kind of design day can look like, I hope this gives you insight and inspiration.

Jo has dark hair and wears a pink hoodie. She stands in her studio smiling and holding her fluffy cat, Monty — Jo in her studio holding Monty the cat

My Neurodivergent Profile (Because No Two Are the Same)

Every neurodivergent person’s brain is unique. Mine is shaped by ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. Here’s what that means in practice:

ADHD gives me energy and excitement when starting new projects, rapid idea generation, and the ability to enter powerful periods of hyperfocus. With clear milestones, I channel this energy into consistent, polished outcomes.
Autism brings exceptional pattern recognition, strong visual attention to detail, and deep sensory awareness. I thrive with well-defined projects, ensuring my best creative flow.
Dyslexia fuels out-of-the-box thinking and innovative approaches to problem-solving. I communicate visually and conceptually, which often leads to designs with clarity and impact.
Dyspraxia gives me a strong visual-spatial sense, helping me judge proportion, fit, and flow within a design. This often translates into layouts and compositions that feel balanced, intentional, and visually harmonious.

Together, these traits make my creative brain vibrant and dynamic, one that doesn’t run on a 9-to-5 clock or changing shift work. Instead, I work with natural energy cycles to get the most from my day.

Mornings: Ease, Curiosity & Gentle Focus

Mornings set the tone for my creativity. I avoid rushing into complex design work straight away and instead ease into the day with:

A cup of tea and some visual inspiration (yes, Pinterest counts as productivity!)
A quick check-in with my project board on ClickUp
Light sketching or gentle admin to warm up my mind

This gentle start allows my creativity to build naturally. Some days I’m ready to dive into design immediately; other days I give myself space to warm up. Flexibility over rigidity is key.

Midday: Creative Flow & Focus Sprints

Late mornings and early afternoons are often my creative sweet spot.

On days when hyperfocus takes over, I can design for hours without realising the time, sketching motifs, refining details, building repeat patterns in Photoshop, and losing myself in the creative flow.
On days when my attention feels more scattered, I use 15-minute focus sprints with timers and visual prompts, plus colour-coded notes and lists to keep me on track.

When I need a pause, I’ll step away for a short break, sometimes with a cup of tea, sometimes by watching a quick YouTube video. Giving my brain a change of input helps me reset without losing too much momentum.

A computer screen shows the program Photoshop were Jo is working on a repeating pattern in purples and pinks. — Jo building repeat patterns in Photoshop

Afternoons: Low-Stakes Tasks & Free Creativity

My energy dips later in the day, so I schedule lighter tasks here, such as:

Product photography and uploading new Paperly UK listings
File organisation and renaming
Social media replies and engagement
Recording voice notes instead of typing longer content (a great dyslexia + dyspraxia hack)
Playful sketching or tactile creative tasks, often with a podcast or video in the background

These lower-demand tasks keep me productive without draining me, while also offering space for sensory regulation and joy.

What This Means for Clients and Collaborators

If you’re a brand or buyer working with me, here’s what you can expect:

Deep visual insight and strong creative thinking
A collaborative approach that focuses on your goals and your customer
Honest communication and reliable outcomes
Realistic timelines that support the creative process

I might not always reply within the hour, but when I do, you’ll get my full focus and thoughtful attention. I believe the best design comes from meaningful collaboration, not from hustle culture.

A close up of a tablecloth featuring the Sparkling with Elegance design by Jo. This is overlapping circles in teal, orange, navy and mustard on a white background. — A tablecloth from the Sparkling with Elegance range

Final Thoughts: There’s No One Right Routine

There’s no universal routine for neurodivergent creatives. Some thrive on structure, others on total freedom. Many (like me) need a mix of both.

My own routine is shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making work that feels good to create (see my blog about going back to pencil for joy and simplicity!) - not just productive for the sake of productivity.

So, whether you’re a neurodivergent creative finding your own rhythm or a brand looking to collaborate with designers who bring lived experience, emotional storytelling, and thoughtfulness into their work, I’d love to connect.