(with coffee, tea, and a little bit of chocolate)
This isn’t quite a “day in my bookish illustrator life” post—more like a slow walk through an ideal week. As a freelance illustrator, my days don’t always look the same. Some weeks are tangled in deadlines, and others have a little more breathing room. But every now and then, usually at the beginning of the month, I manage to settle into a rhythm that feels just right. This is that kind of week.
Working from home, making art, building something of my own—it’s a dream I’ve only been living for a few months now. But like all dreams that turn into real life, it’s layered. I feel deeply grateful, but I also juggle many roles: artist, admin, communicator, content maker. This week shows a little of all of that.
So come along. Bring a warm drink—mine is coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon. Sometimes a little square of dark chocolate to mark a pause. Let’s begin.
Monday – A Gentle Beginning
Monday mornings are slow. They begin with coffee, a proper breakfast, and a bit of reading—something that reminds me I’m a person first, before I’m a business. That morning pause has become a little ritual, a quiet way to separate home from work, even if both happen at the same kitchen table.
Around 9:30 or so, I open my laptop and ease into the week. I always end the previous week by writing a list of tasks for the next, so Monday starts with that familiar list, and I gently place each item into my Notion planner. It’s not about filling every hour—just giving shape to the days ahead.
Late morning is for emails. I spend time replying to clients, following up on projects, and sending gentle reminders if someone’s gone quiet (it happens). I also reach out to potential clients if I know I’ll have space coming up. It’s slow work, but meaningful—it’s how I keep things flowing.
In the afternoon, I return to my commissions. I like to focus on one project at a time so I can really sink into it, give it the care and attention it deserves. I’ll usually make a cup of tea before I begin.
Tuesday & Wednesday – Deep Work Days
These are my most focused days. After a short email check, I turn to commissions—my main source of income, and for now, the heart of my work.
Mornings are for the beginnings of projects. I read through briefs, create moodboards, and begin sketching. There’s something very grounding about those early steps—the quiet planning before the color comes.
Afternoons are for painting, refining, and building the pieces layer by layer. I also prepare PDF updates to send to clients—making sure each stage is clearly presented and thoughtfully explained. I want the people I work with to feel cared for, too.
Evenings are for slowing down. I usually stop around six, make dinner with my roommates, and let the day gently close.
Thursday – Creative Content (When There’s Time)
This is the day I often cancel—and the one I miss the most when I do.
Thursdays are for making creative content: filming little process videos, painting for Patreon, writing captions, or planning ideas for the month ahead. In the morning, I script, gather footage, and sip my second coffee of the day. In the afternoon, I paint personal work and record timelapses for my community.
There’s a different kind of vulnerability here—sharing my process, wondering if it’s meaningful, if it connects. I’ve taken classes on how to film and edit for YouTube, but I haven’t posted anything yet. I keep wanting it to be perfect. But in June, I’ve set a gentle goal: one video. Just start.
All my content lives on Miro, connected to my Notion planner. I don’t post very often right now, because commissions take up most of my time. But I dream of a rhythm where content isn’t rushed—where it feels thoughtful, nourishing, real.
Friday – Admin & Closing the Week
Fridays are for tying up loose threads.
In the morning, I handle the practical things—quotes, invoices, contracts, licensing, taxes. I update my website, tidy my portfolio, and write my monthly newsletter or blog post (this one included). I make a list of tasks for the following week, which always makes Monday feel less overwhelming.
Then I make a coffee or green tea, light a candle if it’s rainy, and return to commissions in the afternoon. I’m usually a little slower by Friday, so I let the pace be gentle. I aim to finish early, when I can, to make room for rest.
Saturday – A Creative Quiet
If I don’t have weekend plans, Saturdays are reserved for soft creative work—editing reels, writing scripts, or sketching just for me. I try to carve out at least two hours for personal drawing. No pressure, no deadlines. Just pencil on paper, something that belongs only to me.
Sometimes I’m behind and need to catch up on commissions. But even then, I try to keep the pace kind. This is the day I play soft music, wear cozy socks, and take long breaks with a piece of chocolate or a cup of something warm.
Sunday – A Sacred Pause
Sundays are for rest. I try not to work unless something is truly urgent. Instead, I read, go for walks, journal, and breathe.
Freelancing makes it easy to blur the lines between life and work, so I protect this day. I let myself exist without producing. Without checking. Without rushing.
Looking Forward
I’ve only been a full-time illustrator for six months, and everything is still new, shifting, learning. Right now, commissions take up 80% of my time and all of my income. My dream is to eventually balance things differently: two well-paid projects a month, space for my own art, and time to create content that feels thoughtful and slow.
I’m hoping to shape my future months with more intention: two weeks for client work, one for content, one for personal art. It may take time to figure out. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: when something matters, it’s worth making space for.
Thank you for being here—for reading, for sharing this space with me. Writing this felt a little more personal than usual, but I hope it brings a sense of comfort, warmth, and perhaps a little inspiration. I’m so glad we’re on this journey together.
Warmly,
Emeline