“Is this really it?”
If you’ve ever whispered that to yourself during a long project, you’re not alone. If you’ve done it in the middle of burnout, you’re also not alone.
Creativity doesn’t run on a switch. As lighting designers, we spend our careers crafting spaces for others — but staying inspired ourselves? That’s the real challenge.
Here’s what I’ve learned from those tough moments — and how I found my way back to the light.
🌫️ Embrace the Doubt — It’s Normal
📖 Story
Early in my career, I worked under a team of seasoned designers. They spoke the language of lighting as if it were second nature. I, meanwhile, was still figuring out where to place the fixtures. I hadn’t yet learned how to confidently lead conversations with clients.
Reading Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson changed things. I started understanding communication styles. I realized I wasn’t “behind.” I just had to learn how to speak the language in my own way.
✅ Try This:
What’s one moment of doubt that taught you something important?
📝 Quick Takeaway
Doubt isn’t a dead-end. It’s a signal to adapt, grow, and own your voice.
🔗 Study Suggestion: Read Harvard Business Review’s “The Upside of Self-Doubt”. This provides more insight into how doubt can drive personal development.
🧱 Celebrate the Small Wins
📖 Story
I once froze on a massive commercial lighting project. Then I zoomed in and worked on just the entryway. That tiny focus turned into momentum, and before I knew it, the whole design came together.
Another win: receiving a client’s email saying, “I feel calm just walking through this space now.” That one line reminded me how impactful our work can be — even when the process feels messy.
💡 Pro Tip:
Break your next overwhelming project into:
- 1 key zone to focus on
- 1 task per day
- 1 visual you want the client to feel
📝 Quick Takeaway
Big wins are built from tiny sparks. Start small. Start now.
🔥 Reconnect with Your “Why”
📖 Story
Designing a hotel room once reminded me why I chose this path. Watching how lighting softened people’s moods when they entered — that made all the pressure worth it.
More recently, I was helping a friend rework lighting in her home office. She sent me a photo of her setup and said, “I actually want to work now.” This reminded me that our impact goes beyond design. It touches how people feel.
🔗 Resource Suggestion:
Want to revisit your purpose? Try these:
- [Lighting Design Inspiration Board Template – Free Notion Link]
- [Top 3 Podcasts for Lighting Creatives]
- “Why We Design” – A TED Talk on Purpose and Process
📝 Quick Takeaway
Return to what lights you up — not just the space.
📚 Keep Learning & Evolving
📖 Story
Learning DIALux Evo was terrifying at first. But embracing discomfort led to a confidence I never imagined. Now, I’m mentoring others in it.
I also struggled with understanding tunable white light. I took an online masterclass from Light Collective, and now I bring that knowledge into wellness-focused projects.
📌 Suggested Tools:
- Light Collective – Designer Stories
- [Lemnisk.co – Lighting Visualizer]
- [Lighting Design Software Comparison Chart]
📝 Quick Takeaway
Let growth be your constant. The more you stretch, the more you shine.
🎨 Inspiration Is Everywhere
📖 Story
A walk through an old cathedral unlocked a concept I couldn’t figure out for a retail space. The way natural light filtered through stained glass taught me more than any online tutorial could.
I also pull ideas from photography. I study how portrait photographers use soft fill and contrast. This study has helped my accent lighting game tremendously.
💭 Question to Reflect:
Where outside of design do you find ideas?
🔗 Further Reading: Check out Dezeen’s Lighting Features for unexpected inspiration.
🤝 Lean Into Community
📖 Story
The biggest shift in my career happened when I stopped working in isolation. I connected with others in the field. That shift didn’t just come from mentors or online forums. It came from a community I deeply relate to: the Sudanese Lighting Association.
We’re a growing network of Sudanese lighting professionals working across the UAE. Our community includes designers, engineers, technicians, and specialists in home automation and innovation systems. What brings us together is more than just our heritage. It’s our shared mission to support each other. We aim to grow together. We also strive to spread knowledge across the lighting industry.
Whether it’s a new technology, a job lead, or a smart lighting solution, we teach each other. We help each other and celebrate growth together. The support I receive from this community has been a game changer. It is especially impactful during late-night design blocks. Quick advice or even a word of encouragement makes all the difference.
This community reminds me that success doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Together, we’re making sure every Sudanese lighting professional in the UAE has someone to lean on.
👥 Where to Connect:
📝 Quick Takeaway
Creativity thrives in connection. Ask. Share. Belong.
🙌 Prompt for Community:
What’s one win — big or small — you’ve had recently in your design work? Share it in the comments and let’s cheer each other on.
🛠️ Summary of Actionable Tips
| What You’re Facing | What to Try |
|---|---|
| Self-Doubt | Understand personality dynamics |
| Overwhelm | Break projects into zones & tasks |
| Burnout | Revisit your “why” with visual reminders |
| Stagnation | Learn a new tool or attend a design talk |
| Lack of Inspiration | Step outside — visit a museum or park |
| Isolation | Connect with peers or find a mentor |
💬 Let’s Talk
What challenge are you navigating right now in your lighting journey?
Share it in the comments — or tag someone who might need this post today.
📣 don’t forget — share one recent win in your journey, too. Let’s build each other up.
The Glow Recipe 