From Hustle to Harmony: The Power of Boundaries
Have you ever found yourself racing around, juggling a mountain of creative jobs, wanting to soak up every single opportunity, but ending up stretched thin? You’re not alone. This is the story of Naomi Smith, a passionate food stylist and art director who learned how important it is to listen to your body, nurture your creativity, and find your peace — even when life is telling you to hustle harder. Her journey takes us from career burnout to building boundaries, from people-pleasing to purposeful self-care, and from overbooked calendars to honest happiness in her creative path.
The Early Years: All In, All the Time
Naomi started her career like so many of us: working nonstop, saying yes to everything, and always chasing the next big gig. Her ambition opened doors as a photo assistant, production assistant, and collaborator with YouTube creators. Every creative chance felt exciting, but the pace caught up with her—pure burnout. Filling every second with work left her feeling empty inside. In her words, “I never let myself breathe.”
The Breaking Point: Learning to Say “No”
Naomi’s breaking point was a turning moment from hustle to harmony, where she finally learned that rest creates room for better work.
Can you relate to feeling pulled in every direction, afraid you’ll miss that ‘once in a lifetime’ gig? She was there too—until burnout forced a pause. The pandemic brought her schedule to a halt, and this break taught her something crucial: turning down opportunities didn’t mean doors closed forever. By saying “no” to misaligned projects, she made space for new opportunities, deeper creativity, and real growth.
About Naomi
Naomi Smith, an accomplished art director, food stylist, and director who shares her honest journey from nonstop hustle to authentic harmony. Naomi opens up about her early career years spent saying yes to every opportunity as a photo assistant, production assistant, and creative collaborator, only to find herself exhausted and questioning her path. She reflects on how burnout and the pause of the pandemic taught her that rest is essential for sustainable creativity and not a sign of laziness. Throughout the conversation, Naomi offers grounded wisdom on boundaries, self-care, curiosity, and speaking up, giving creatives practical tools to protect their energy while continuing to grow in their craft.
Episode Breakdown
- Naomi’s introduction, multi-creative roles, and the heart behind her winding career path.
- Early hustle years assisting, PA’ing, and discovering a love for food-focused storytelling.
- Realizations about burnout, therapy, and redefining success through rest and self-awareness.
- How food, hydration, movement, and daily choices support sustainable creativity and energy.
- Finding joy in multiple creative outlets like travel, reading, cooking, and art exploration.
- Translating photography training into food styling decisions about color, texture, and composition.
- Building a thoughtful food styling kit, favorite tools, and smart budget-friendly gear strategies.
- Problem-solving on set, staying flexible, and communicating clearly with directors and clients.
- Reflecting after tough shoots, receiving feedback, and using lessons to improve future collaborations.
- Encouragement for creatives to keep learning, ask questions, and protect their creative well-being.
Action Checklist
- Schedule one weekly “no-work” block dedicated to rest or joy-filled hobbies.
- Track all project requests this month and practice saying “no” to one misaligned offer.
- Audit daily drinks for seven days and replace one with water or herbal tea.
- Build or update a creative kit list and add three missing essential tools.
- After each shoot, journal three wins and three improvements within 24 hours.
- Identify one mentor or peer and schedule a 30-minute support or learning conversation.
- Add one simple movement habit to shoot days, like a 5-minute stretching break.
- Write ten clear pre-project questions to ask every client before accepting new work.
The Power of Boundaries in a Creative Career
Boundaries became the bridge from hustle to harmony, allowing her to choose only the creative projects that truly fit.
Naomi’s advice is empowering: Build your boundaries with kindness and with confidence. She shares how learning to say “no” gave her energy and time to focus on projects that truly lit her up. By refusing to overbook, she gave herself permission to rest, enjoy hobbies, and stay present. Boundaries turned into her best creative fuel.
Listening to Your Body: Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury, It’s a Must
If you’ve ever skipped meals, guzzled coffee, or shrugged off sleep in pursuit of your next project, Naomi gets it. She shared how listening to her body was a game-changer. Today, Naomi prioritizes hydration, balanced meals, rest, gentle exercise, and even therapy as essential tools for maintaining her creative edge. She replaced 10 cups of coffee a day with green tea, vitamin Bs, lemon water, and, most importantly, rest! Creativity needs fuel, and taking care of yourself means better work and more joy.
Embracing Multifaceted Creativity
Naomi wears many hats: art director, food stylist, prop stylist, photographer, and even film director. She loves exploring new creative outlets like travel, reading, hiking, cooking, and soaking up other cultures. Each side passion fills her spirit and inspires her work. She encourages all creatives to lean into curiosity and keep learning — there’s always magic waiting in unexplored passions and new skills.
Preparing for Every Possibility
Every set brings new challenges. Naomi crafts her kit with intention: tweezers, pins, instant potatoes, spray oils, sharp knives, and an apron. She shops at thrift stores, experiments with budget finds, and believes tools don’t have to be fancy. Organization matters and so does being resourceful. Naomi says there’s nothing better than knowing you’re ready for whatever comes up, and being prepared beats expensive gear every time.
Creative Problem-Solving: Flexibility Is Your Secret Weapon
What happens when a shoot doesn’t go as planned? Naomi leans on flexibility, experience, communication, and a willingness to try new solutions. She reflects after each session: What worked, what didn’t, and how can things get better next time? It’s not about being perfect; it’s about learning, collaborating, and owning your growth.
The Courage to Speak Up
Many creatives, especially women, struggle with assertiveness on set. Naomi knows the feeling. Over time, she learned to respectfully raise concerns, ask key questions, and state her needs. Her advice: Speak up early, bring your whole self to the table, and believe your voice matters. Confidence starts with honest communication — and it builds trust with every project.
Sharing Wisdom and Building Community
For Naomi, creativity isn’t a competition. She’s passionate about mentoring, sharing tips (like using citric acid powder to keep food fresh on camera), and meeting up with newcomers over coffee. Learning is a continuous journey, and community makes the road lighter.
Closing Thoughts: Stay Joyful, Stay Curious
Her story shows every creative that a shift from hustle to harmony is possible when you honor your energy and values.
Naomi’s story reminds you to honor where you are, invest in self-care, and keep saying yes to learning and connection. The most beautiful creations come from a place of harmony — between your work and your heart, your ambition and your peace. Naomi’s path from hustle to harmony is proof that success is about finding fulfillment, not frantic striving. You can find your own balance. Start today by choosing what feels authentic, healthy, and joyful for you.
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Resources
- Fratelli Studio, Atlanta food photography studio https://www.fratellistudio.com
- Charlene Perry, food stylist and producer https://www.charlenefoodstylist.com
- Brian Woodcock, advertising and editorial food photographer https://brianwoodcock.com
- Calvin Lockwood Photography, commercial food and beverage photographer **https://www.yelp.com/biz/calvin-lockwood-photography-atlanta**
