Why you don't have to be the best all the time 😌

Friends, do you feel this way too? 😫

It’s like we’re in launch overload season?

Every tool I use is dropping updates. Every week, there’s a new design trend. A new AI feature. A new conference. (Google I/O, Claude 3, Config... it’s nonstop.)

And while it’s all super exciting, I have to be honest here.

I’ve also been feeling… kind of behind?

I’ve spent years getting good at Figma — but lately, I’ve caught myself wondering: Do I even know what I’m doing anymore? 😣

There was a stretch where creating started to feel heavy. I wasn’t making things because I loved it. I was making to prove something.
To look skilled.
To keep up.
To be impressive?

And when that becomes the goal, the fear of messing up starts to take over the joy of simply making.

Here’s something I’m learning (and re-learning): You don’t need a perfect idea to start. You don’t have to bring value every single time.

And no — your idea doesn’t need to be original to be worth making.

You’ve probably seen someone do it before, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it too,
in your own way.

Sometimes the most freeing thing is letting yourself be a little basic.

I love matching water bottles with other girls. I love making something that feels like me. Even if no one claps. Even if it’s been done.

🧃 If you’ve been feeling this pressure too, scroll down for a few reminders to make things feel a little lighter again.

Also, here are some awesome little knowledge nuggets I found online — super cool stuff this week:

〰️ A juicy new report on how designers actually use AI
〰️ Lowkey scared of this AI device
〰️ A surprisingly good (and free!) prompt tutorial by Anthropic
〰️ Google Stitch: cool idea, but maybe just… start from scratch?

☁️ news & trends

The state of AI in design (must read)
This new report spills the tea on how designers are really using AI. Think faster workflows and better brainstorms—plus the messy bits no one talks about, like…tool overload!😭

10 rules for navigating the next design paradigm
Meta’s CTO Boz just dropped his 10 rules for designing in the AI era—spatial UX, breaking old habits, and designing like the future depends on it. A must-read if you’re figuring out where your design career’s headed.

Jony Ive and Sam Altman are building a screenless AI wearable? 😳
It’s tiny, wearable, always listening—and kinda spooky. This new AI gadget might replace your phone, but is blending tech into our bodies. Is this taking it too far?

🪐 launches & tools

Google Stitch: design accelerator or design debt? 🧵
Stitch is Google’s new tool for UI iteration but don’t get too excited yet. Most designers say it’s not production-ready. It’s clunky, hard to refine, and often easier to just start from scratch. Some folks think it’s more useful for non-designers who can poke around Figma and don’t mind rough mockups.

Free prompt engineering tutorial by Anthropic (actually good!)
Anthropic just dropped a fully interactive Claude tutorial. Bonus: there’s a playground at the bottom of every lesson so you can test things in real-time. Whether you’re building AI tools or just chatting with Claude for fun, this is worth a bookmark.

Designers, pay attention: this is what intentional AI design looks like
Google’s AI Shopping Mode is a guided, visual-first experience built on thoughtful design. From moodboard-style browsing to a virtual try-on tool that works with your own photos (!!), the interface feels more like a Pinterest x Polyvore mashup.

🌼 What to do when creating feels heavy

If you’re in a creative rut or just feeling the pressure to “keep up”

Here are a few things that helped me loosen the grip, and start creating with less pressure and more play:

1. Don’t aim for a masterpiece — just aim to make something

2. Set a timer and create within a limit (20 minutes max, no judgment)

3. Make something you’d only share with one close friend

4. Screenshot anything that makes you smile and use it as a starting point

5. Let your tools feel like toys, not just software

None of this is about lowering your standards — it’s about remembering why you started in the first place.

Make it fun again. Make it yours. 💛

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Marisa | @meshtimes