You have time to make it beautiful
A week in the life: Balancing work, motherhood and joyful living with Claire Venus✨
Writers, like many creatives, are creatures of ritual. I begin my writing day with a black coffee and the scent of Pirate Oil drifting from my diffuser, a small act that signals to my brain it’s time to focus. Some writers rise before dawn to work in the quiet, others need the hum of a busy café, a favourite pen or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Routine isn’t just about getting words on the page—it’s about creating balance, joy, and a rhythm that sustains the work.
As Annie Dillard famously said, ‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.’
I’ve shared my own writing routine here, but I love seeing how other creatives shape their days.
, who runs the Substacks, and , is an Engagement Consultant, Creative Facilitator, and Mentor. She is a big-hearted, creative, warm and hugely productive person. Plus she has children! A puppy! A husband and, you know, a life! Somehow, she juggles all of this, as well as making some time for self-care.
Frankly, I don’t know how she does it.
But to give us an insight, Claire shares an intimate peek into how she balances work, motherhood and self-care in a way that feels intentional, fulfilling, and, most of all, beautiful. Over to Claire.
Life as a creative entrepreneur, mentor, and mother is a beautiful dance between work, family, and self-care. I’ve designed my weeks with balance in mind—leaning into both productivity and rest, making space for deep connection and joyful moments. I don’t always get it right, but I’ve learnt how to adjust mid-stride when I need to.
Here’s a peek into how I spend my days, blending my work with a life that looks and feels beautiful. I’m writing this with a cold in winter. If you asked me again in spring or summer it would look completely different. This morning, I made time for a walk, a joyful connection with my online writing group and a 10-minute meditation before I started.
Monday: A Fresh Start
Mondays are about setting the tone for the week. I make tea in a bright yellow pot and do a head-emptying exercise and get everything out—business, work, home, the kids, appointments, niggles—everything pours out.
Once I see it all, I make a plan and settle into my work with a milky tea in hand.
I don’t book calls on Mondays, so the day is my own to plan and settle into the week. It often involves laundry and tidying. I weave the household chores in the in-between times when I need a break from screens.
I have little pockets of calm in the chaos, like the area I’m writing in now. I’m sitting on a sky-blue velvet chair with a rainbow blanket and I made time to fetch a coaster and a plant to make it cosy.
The afternoon is usually for my members—responding to questions, showing up for them, and sharing insights in my community. I wrap up the day with a muddy walk, letting the sea air clear my mind before dinner with my family.
Tuesday: Deep Focus
Tuesdays are dedicated to client projects and content creation. Whether it’s crafting engaging sales copy, recording video lessons, or designing workshops, I immerse myself in the work that lights me up. Between recording and writing sessions, I take a midday break to walk with an inspiring podcast.
It’s a reminder to slow down and enjoy the present moment, to see what’s in bloom. Today I saw snowdrops and the first sign of our tulips which I know will pop up in later in spring.
I tend to drive to pick up the kids in silence. I find this the most recharging way I have to ground myself in the present before the onslaught of excitement and dinner.
Wednesday: Connection & Creativity
Midweek is all about meaningful interactions. I check in with coaching clients, and dive into Substack strategies. It’s also a day for creative thinking—outlining new content ideas, journaling, and brainstorming fresh ways to serve my audience. My husband and I often grab lunch together—a simple yet precious ritual that keeps us connected amid the busyness.
I like to do some self-development on Wednesdays so that might be to revisit a course module or make time to chat with colleagues on WhatsApp. I have therapy every other week and don’t work for the rest of the day. I’ve been going for nearly 18 months, and it’s been key to holding me in a space where my business took off.
Thursday: Spa Mornings & Inspired Work
Thursdays begin with a little self-care—maybe a spa morning, an extra-long journaling session, or a leisurely coffee before diving into work.
This slow start fuels my creativity for the rest of the day. I dedicate time to writing and crafting valuable content for my Substack subscribers, ensuring I’m pouring from a full cup. I often spend the first half of the day mentoring one-to-one clients, guiding them through their Substack growth, online congruence and engagement strategies. It’s such fulfilling work to do. It’s really about aligning and kindling our voices—and recognising the strength and importance behind sharing them in the here and now.
Friday: Wrapping Up & Beach Reflections
‘There’s something about the waves that always brings clarity and inspiration.’
Claire Venus
Fridays are about tying up loose ends and easing into the weekend. I check in with clients, answer emails, and finalise any outstanding projects. I meet my members in the writer’s room at 12.
If the sun is out, I take my work to a café or schedule a long walk by the sea. I also like to clean our home. I really struggle with visual clutter.
The Weekend: Rest & Play
Weekends are for family, fun and slowing down. We take long walks, enjoy home-cooked meals, and soak up unstructured time. Whether it’s journaling, reading, or simply being present, I honour these moments as part of the balance that keeps my work and life aligned. My son is very relaxed, and my daughter is high-energy, so my husband and I tend to tag-team activities so one of us gets some respite.
Living in Flow
This rhythm isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention and adjusting along the way.
By designing my week with balance in mind, I ensure that my work, motherhood, and personal well-being all have space to thrive. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating a life that feels good while you’re building it.
How do you weave balance into your week?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I know there is much nuance to what feels good in the season we’re in.
Claire 💛
If you would like to find out how to have more balance, productivity and creativity in your life, have a look at my three-part masterclass, The Writer’s Path.
My article on how to find flow in your writing and your life—written for is here:
Claire Venus is a passionate Engagement Consultant and Mentor who helps creatives and authors ignite their content eco-system and grow their business using Substack.
She has over twenty-five years of experiences of managing award winning, world class festivals and events. Claire has managed multi-million dollar funded programmes bringing culture into international cities, rural communities and online.
Claire lives in the UK by the Northumberland coast under dark skies with her husband, two children and her puppy Stella. She’s passionate about our lived experiences as creatives and our environmental influence on artistic practise.
✍️ Retreat with Claire - 9th May.
📖 Buy Claire’s book ‘How to Build a World Class Substack'
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Love the themed days and may try this myself! Xxx