Interior Designers Charged on Work-Life Balance

Interior designers have been reminded of the need to prioritize their wellness as they strive to enhance life’s quality and build the economy.

At the Blueprint Conference which was held in Lagos, recently, it was resolved that embracing self-care is not only crucial for players’ productivity, but industry sustainability. 

Convener of the conference, Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe speaking on the theme, ‘Design and Wellness’ emphasized the pressing need for interior designers to nurture themselves, while excelling in their craft. 

She noted that the programme was an opportunity for operators to reclaim their spaces, nurture well-being, and reignite passion for the craft. 

“As designers, we pour our hearts into creating spaces that transform other lives, but often neglect our own inner space. The late nights, tight deadlines, and relentless pursuit of perfection take a toll. The best designs emerge when we are balanced, focused, and whole.”

Entrepreneur and Publisher, Dr. Tewa Onasanya, speaking on ‘‘Mindful Leadership: Leading with Consciousness,’’ tasked designers on aligning their goals with purpose.

Onasanya shared five key principles for mindful leadership such as: “Align with purpose, make decisions that support your vision, lead with emotional intelligence, maintain integrity and authenticity, and practice holistic well-being.”

Also speaking, a Management Consultant Ifeyinwa Okafor, in her session titled ‘Designing a Wholesome Life,’ proposed a structured approach to achieving balance and fulfillment. 

“To design a whole life, one must dream, design, decide, discipline, and detach,” she explained.

She urged designers to intentionally plan actionable steps toward their dreams, emphasizing confidence and skill development.

On managing a hectic schedule, she suggested, “Prioritize your goals, set boundaries, grow your mindset, delegate tasks, outsource where necessary, and leverage technology.”

Representatives from the Happiness Centre also contributed, offering stress-relief tools. They stressed the importance of maintaining a relaxed and focused state of mind, noting that stress management is key to sustaining creativity and wellness in a demanding field.