A Lesson in Self-Care And Caregiving

Hey, creative humans, we’re back! Kind of. As many of you know, we had to take an unexpected break from the YouTube world because Klee got pretty sick. It was a whirlwind of hospital visits, blood work, IVs—basically the whole nine yards. It got serious there for a while, and if you’ve ever been in a situation like that, you know how fast life can turn upside down.

We’re incredibly grateful to say that Klee is feeling a lot better, though the road to full recovery is still ahead. There are still medications, check-ups, and all kinds of things to keep track of, but we are back on our feet and moving forward.

This whole experience was an intense reminder of something I think a lot of us creatives struggle with: balancing life, our passions, and the unexpected challenges that get thrown our way. And for those of you out there who are caregivers while still managing an art career (or any career, really), I just want to say—you are a freaking badass.

The Reality of Being a Caregiver and an Artist

One thing that really hit me during this whole ordeal was how easy it is to neglect yourself when you’re focused on taking care of someone else. The first couple of days, I barely thought about my own needs—I was just running on adrenaline, making sure Klee had everything she needed. And let me tell you, that kind of neglect catches up to you fast.

Case in point: I had to throw away a pair of shoes because they got wet while I was rushing around the hospital, and something… unholy started growing in them. (Let’s not talk about the smell.) It was a small, gross reminder that I needed to start taking care of myself too.

So, for anyone else in this kind of situation—whether you’re taking care of a loved one, balancing a creative career, or just trying to keep your head above water—here are some things I learned the hard way.

1. Prioritize Self-Care (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)

It might sound cliché, but self-care is not optional when you’re in a high-stress situation. When you’re taking care of someone, it’s easy to put yourself on the back burner. But the truth is, if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not going to be much help to anyone else.

That means making sure you’re eating, getting some sleep (even if it’s just a few solid hours), and stepping away for a breather when you need it. Trust me, skipping self-care doesn’t make you a hero—it just makes everything harder in the long run.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

When this all started, I was convinced I could juggle everything—caregiving, running Rafi and Klee Studios, getting commissions done, answering emails, and basically being an unstoppable force of productivity. Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

The reality is, when life throws something big at you, you have to adjust. I had to accept that I wasn’t going to be creating a ton of new art that week. I wasn’t going to be knocking out 50 commissions. And that was okay.

If you’re in a situation where life is demanding more from you, cut yourself some slack. Set small, manageable goals, and know that it’s okay if things take longer than expected. The world won’t end if you need to slow down.

3. Simplify Your Art Practice

When my brain was completely fried from everything going on, I realized I had to simplify my approach to creativity. Normally, I juggle multiple projects at once, but that just wasn’t realistic. Instead, I focused on one thing at a time.

Instead of bouncing between 10 different projects, I picked one small creative task per day. Even if it was just sketching or organizing my studio, it gave me a sense of normalcy without overwhelming me.

If you’re in a similar spot, try breaking things down into tiny, manageable steps. Even if all you can do is one little thing each day, that’s still progress.

4. Schedule Around Downtime

Klee had a very specific schedule with medications, meals, and rest times. So, I structured my day around those moments. When she needed to rest, I used that time to check emails, sketch, or work on something small.

This was a game-changer because it meant I wasn’t trying to force work into an unpredictable schedule—I was working with the flow of the situation.

If you’re balancing caregiving with creative work, try carving out dedicated time that aligns with your responsibilities. Even short bursts of productivity can add up.

5. Accept Help (Even If You Hate Asking for It)

I’ll be honest—I am terrible at asking for help. But when people in our community reached out, offering food, support, or just checking in, it meant the world to us. And I realized something: asking for help isn’t a weakness.

If you’re in a tough situation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s friends, family, or an online community, there are people who genuinely want to support you. Let them.

6. Watch Out for Resentment

Caregiving is hard. It takes a toll, not just physically, but emotionally too. When I was helping take care of my dad years ago, I struggled with feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

This time around, I made sure to keep my emotions in check. I knew I didn’t want to bring negativity into the situation with Klee, so I focused on staying aware of my emotional state and communicating openly.

If you’re in a caregiving role, be mindful of your feelings. If you start feeling resentful, take a step back and find ways to relieve that pressure—whether it’s journaling, venting to a friend, or just taking a moment for yourself.

The Biggest Lesson? Be Easy on Yourself.

At the end of the day, one of the hardest but most important lessons I learned was to just be kind to myself.

I had to accept that I wasn’t going to be operating at 100% efficiency. I wasn’t going to keep up with everything the way I normally would. And that was okay.

So if you’re in a similar situation—whether you’re caring for someone, balancing life and art, or just going through a rough patch—give yourself some grace.

My new motto? “It is what it is. And good enough.”

Because sometimes, good enough is all you need.

A Huge Thank You

I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who sent well wishes, checked in on us, or offered support during this time. You guys are amazing, and we appreciate you more than words can say.

We’re slowly getting back into the swing of things, and I’m excited to start creating and sharing again. Klee isn’t back to 100% yet, but she’s feeling so much better—and that is the best news of all.

Also, quick announcement!  We just wrapped up our January calendar giveaway, and we’re kicking off a new giveaway for February—a one-on-one video call with Klee and me! If you want to enter, head over to our website for all the details.That’s all for now. Take care of yourselves, and remember—you don’t have to do it all. ❤️

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!