A Day in the Life: Balancing Indi Arden with My Full-Time Job

Running a small business while managing a cafe full time definitely isn't easy - but it's possible with a bit of structure, planning and a lot of love for what I do. I wanted to share a little behind-the-scenes of what one of my "business days" looks like! I dedicate one of my days off each week solely to Indi Arden, and over time I've developed a routine that helps me stay productive without burning out.

Morning: brain dump and content creation

The first thing I do - before any to-do lists or tasks - is a big brain dump. I grab one of my tear off notepads (shameless plug!) and write down absolutely everything buzzing around in my brain. It's a simple habit that helps me visually sort through all the tasks for the week ahead.

Once I've mapped out what needs doing, I set a realistic plan for the day. I work best first thing in the morning, so I always start with the most demanding or time-sensitive tasks while I'm fresh and focused.

That usually means filming content. I love using the morning light in my flat - it's the brightest and most flattering time to batch film reels, product shots, or behind-the-scenes clips. Once I've filmed, I'll move onto editing and scheduling content for the upcoming week. I try to stay a week or two ahead where possible so I'm not scrambling on my lunch break to edit and upload something.

Midday: movement and errands

Once lunch hits, I'm ready to get out of the house. I find that stepping outside - grabbing a coffee, reading on the beach, running some errands - completely resets me.

This time of day is usually when I'd hit a slump if I stayed inside staring at my laptop so moving my body helps me to come back to my workspace with a clearer head.

Afternoon: design, planning and low-energy tasks

After some fresh air, I ease back into work with creative or lighter admin tasks. This is where I might sketch out some new ideas, plan upcoming product collections, update my website or prep listings.

If I'm writing a new blog post, I'll often start or outline it here - though I try to write blog posts a few weeks in advance to give myself breathing room.

Evening: hobbies and wind-down time

After dinner is my golden time for me. I keep this part of the day just for my creative hobbies - whether that's junk journaling, painting or catching up on my latest book. This is when I truly switch off and create just for the fun of it, without any pressure to make it into content or a product.

Final thoughts

Balancing a full-time job and a business isn't always smooth sailing, but I've found that building a rhythm that works for me -with room for creativity and flexibility - has made all the difference. It's not about doing everything perfectly, but about finding joy in the process and staying consistent where it matters.

If you're juggling multiple things too, just know that it's okay to take it one day at a time. And don't forget to leave space for what fills your cup creatively!

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Have any questions about how I structure my business time or want to see more behind-the-scenes? Let me know- I'd love to share more!

Okay bye x