After burning out a few times in my life as a creator and entrepreneur, I had to learn some important lessons and tools to make all this sustainable.

I love creating, working on my business, sharing my ideas, and helping people - it brings me a lot of meaning and fulfills me.

But this striving for more growth and to keep up with social media algorithms plus the disconnection from my body in the past led me to experience more pressure than was healthy for my mind and body.

As a creator, it's hard to draw the line between what's "living" and what's "creating and working".

It all sort of blends together, because it's all fun and games most times - which was my intention from the start back in 2011 - to not live a 9-5, where life and work is clearly separated. All this also came with its challenges.

I eventually realized that my capacity to create and help others is directly linked to my mental, emotional, and physical health. It is all one.

In order to not only stay healthy but wealthy in a holistic manner, I had to:

• question conventional ideas of productivity and success.

• apply mindfulness + awareness to all areas of life.

Enter mindful productivity.

In its simplest terms, I define it as the combination of mindfulness and productivity.

This means bringing a more present and conscious quality to creating and working while being closely tuned into my emotions, mental state and physical sensations - and taking actions to strengthen this connection, be more self-compassionate, and managing my nervous system responses.

Today, I experience more mental clarity, more flow, more energy. My body and mind are healthier and happier. I feel more connected to my purpose.

The lesson:

Question the status quo.

Work less, create more.

(This is atomic essay #3, which is part of 30 Days of Writing #Ship30for30)