Creating anything when you’re living with chronic pain is hard. Like, really hard. It’s not the romantic, tortured-artist kind of pain. It’s the “my body feels like it’s made of broken glass and my brain is a foggy soup” kind of pain. And when creativity is also how you pay the bills? That turns the challenge into a daily balancing act between passion, pressure, and pain. I’m a graphic designer. Creativity isn’t just something I love — it’s something I do for a living. It’s deadlines, client feedback, digital tools, screen time, and an industry that doesn’t exactly slow down for anyone. So what happens when the thing that brings you purpose is also tangled up with the thing that hurts?

Creativity and Pain Don’t Clock In at the Same Time

Chronic pain doesn’t follow a 9–5. It doesn’t care that you’ve got a concept due at noon, or a website to polish, or a layout that needs finessing. You can have the most beautifully planned project schedule and still wake up unable to sit at your desk, look at a screen, or focus on the tiniest detail. It can be frustrating, especially when your work depends on your ability to consistently tap into your creativity. Some days I’m creatively sharp — ideas flow, and I get into that satisfying design groove. Other days? Just resizing a banner feels like climbing a mountain. And honestly, both kinds of days are valid.
Working as a creative with chronic pain means learning to ride the waves — even when they knock you flat.

Pacing is a Skill (and a Survival Tactic)

There’s a culture in design — and in a lot of creative industries — that rewards the hustle. Say yes to every opportunity, work late, push through, keep producing. But when your body won’t let you keep up that pace, you have to rewire your mindset. I used to think I had to work a certain way: sitting upright for hours, laser-focused, efficient. But pain changed that. Now I design with frequent movement breaks, I prioritize ergonomics, and if I need to work from bed, I do. Most importantly? I don’t beat myself up on bad days. That’s taken time.
Adapting isn’t giving up — it’s learning how to create with the pain, not against it. And sure, sometimes I still overdo it. But every day offers a chance to recalibrate.

Imposter Syndrome Hits Different

When you’re constantly adjusting your workflow, or your output slows down, it’s easy to feel like you’re not a “real” professional. That maybe you’re falling behind or not doing enough.
But here’s the truth I come back to: your value as a creative isn’t measured by how fast or how often you produce. It’s in the quality of what you create, in the perspective you bring, in the resilience it takes to keep going. In fact, chronic pain adds a layer of resilience that might not be visible in your portfolio, but is evident in how you move through the world. You’re not failing. You’re doing your best, and that’s powerful.

Honouring the Work You Do

Whether you’re freelancing, designing in-house, building a brand, or juggling side gigs — if you’re doing any of that while managing chronic pain, you’re a freakin’ superstar!
|You’re creating under pressure most people can’t see. You’re showing up, even when your body doesn’t want to. You’re making space for art, ideas, and design in the middle of a storm. Even on the days when all I can do is open my laptop and stare blankly at InDesign for twenty minutes — I try not to stress. Even if my creativity is quiet, it’s not gone. It’s just waiting. Resting. Regrouping.

You’re Not Alone

There are so many creatives out there navigating chronic pain behind the scenes. Some of us are working from ergonomic setups with heating pads and timers. Some of us are designing from the couch. Some of us are still figuring it out day by day.If that’s you, know this: you’re not any less of a designer, artist, or creative professional because your path looks different.
Your work matters. And so does your well-being. Take care of both.