How I Keep My Creative Side, Work a Full-Time Job, Dad Life, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

 

A black belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi, studio mic, headphones, and banana symbolising the balance between creativity, parenting, and training.

The Roles I Juggle (And Why I Won’t Give Any Up)

Being a husband, dad, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, music producer, and full-time worker isn’t exactly a recipe for free time. But I don’t want to give any of it up. Each part feeds me in a different way.

Still, juggling this many responsibilities means I have to be extremely intentional with how I use the slivers of time that remain.


Prioritising Creative Work and Avoiding Burnout

The hardest part is accepting how little time I have left for what fuels me—BJJ, writing music, and working on Bobby Makes Music. These aren’t hobbies. They’re creative outlets that help me process life, emotion, and internal noise.

Without them, burnout becomes inevitable. I’ve learned to be ruthless about protecting what little time I do have. Because no creativity = no clarity.


Making Time for Creative Projects With a Full-Time Job

I work Sunday to Thursday. On early mornings (5am starts at the café), I handle admin before the chaos begins. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, I do school runs, clean the house, cook, and handle parenting. Every day is full.

But two nights a week—Monday and Tuesday—I clock in late for my creative sessions. From 8:30pm to 11:00pm, I produce, mix, or write. These hours are sacred. Sometimes I’m tired, sometimes I’m firing—but I always show up.

Even five minutes thinking about music can creatively unlock something unexpected. I’ll often take ideas that spark mid-workday, jot them down, and flesh them out later in my home workspace.

Friday is my dedicated time for personal projects. After chores and drop-offs, I get a few hours to write, build my brand, or plan releases.


Side Projects and Staying Sane

Sometimes it's not about finishing masterpieces—it's about just starting. Side projects like writing blog posts, dialling in a guitar tone, or sketching out beat ideas keep the momentum alive.

Even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, these quick hits matter. They keep me moving, and more importantly, they help me stay sane.


Ruthlessly Protecting Your Creative Process (Even With a Day Job)

This lifestyle demands strategy. You can’t wait for inspiration—you have to prioritise. You have to ruthlessly carve out space for your creative process, or the world will swallow your attention whole.

I don’t just protect time—I protect energy. I’ll say “no” to things that drain me unnecessarily, so I can show up with something left in the tank. It’s not selfish—it’s how I pursue my creative goal while still giving my best to others.

If you have a day job, a family, and a million other things pulling on your time—start small. Ten focused minutes today beats dreaming about an hour that never comes tomorrow.


Final Thoughts: This Is My Creative Life

I don’t have perfect balance. But I do have a creative life on my terms.

I stay on track by staying connected to the work, even when I’m exhausted. Whether I’m training, parenting, or mixing tracks while the house sleeps, I keep moving. Because making progress is better than waiting for perfection. Always.


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