Georgia Perry
Interview by Madeleine Dore
&
Photography by Annette O’Brien
This interview was originally published in my column for Domain
Georgia Perry: Designer and artist
When you love what you do, as is the case for designer and artist Georgia Perry, it can be difficult to draw a line between life and work.
“When you work for yourself, you don't want to rest on your laurels, so I am always thinking of new ideas, products to create, and ways to connect with people. I can’t turn that part off.”
Georgia has been working for herself for six years, including a one-year stint in her own retail store pop-up, KIOSK in Fitzroy. While her mind might easily race to what’s next, since making the decision to return to freelancing she is focusing on learning to enjoy the moment.
“I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself, otherwise a year flies by and I haven't even stopped to reflect and pat myself on the back a bit.”
Even on a day to day basis, there are moments to rest and reflect – and enjoy the freedom of freelancing. “It has taken some self-development and learning to realise that the sky is not going to fall in if you finish work at two o'clock or you need a day off.”
As Georgia reminds us, everything is a work in progress. “No day is perfect and nothing is a failure unless you didn’t learn from it.”
A day in the life
Morning
I’ve always been a morning person, so I get up at around 7am and take the dog for a walk and come back for breakfast at home. After finishing up with the pop-up store Kiosk, it took me some time to readjust and realise I could take a minute in the morning to go for a walk, or to meditate, I didn't have to just get up and go.
I’ll do a quick tidy and organise the desk space before settling into work at around ten o’clock.
I do bookkeeping and admin in the morning because I am at my sharpest. I have a product line so there is a lot of packing orders and customer service with that.
To keep track of tasks I use an app called TeuxDuex – if you don't complete them they carry onto the next day, which I find really effective.
Midday
I can get so obsessed with what I’m working on that an hour just flies by, so I have really made a point of stopping, standing up, going outside, going upstairs, making lunch, and actually getting away from the computer.
It’s really important for me to take short breaks during the day. You get a lot more out of taking a minute and giving your eyes a rest and giving your shoulders a rest.
Afternoon
After lunch is usually reserved for the creative work — if I have illustrations due or commissions I allocate studio time for that.
Evening
I never used to give myself an end time for my work day. The day shift would finish at five, I’d have dinner, and then start the night shift with my laptop on the couch doing emails and research.
Now, I finish at five and take the dog for another walk. It is a really good way to bookend the day, get some air in my lungs and switch off. There is always going to be more to do, it's bottomless, so you have to draw the line somewhere.
In the evenings I spend a lot of time at home cooking with my partner, watching Netflix, and going to the pub or to the movies. Those simple things are also so nourishing for a creative, especially when you slow down and enjoy them.
Bedtime
I love an essential oil and I love a hot shower before bed – it helps get me out of the work zone and wind down, too. I also try and do a bit of stretching – I made this little chart and it’s helpful to have that visual reminder because I feel like a pretzel by the end of the day.
I’ll read on my Kindle and get to sleep by around ten.
Working from home tip:
Working at home can be very solitary, so I make sure to schedule a lunch or dinner otherwise the weeks can just blur into one. I am energised by spending time with people, so I try and prioritise those things.