Brandon Herbel

All work no sleep was a name I came up with in my 20s when I would work a full-time job, come home, and work on my creative outlets at night. Though my thought process and views on that have changed a bit, the name has stuck.

I try to keep things on my desk and around my workspace that inspires me. That includes tons of prints from my favorite artists. Friends or my kids have given me gifts and little nicknacks over the years that I keep on my desk. I’ve also started to collect books of artwork, album covers, and various things to flip through for inspiration. Even if it's just taking something like a color palette.

Lately, I've found my creativity through my children and their view of the world. Both are creative, with my son learning and playing the bass and playing in the School of Rock band. My daughter and I also collaborate on her clothing line, Eye Scream. It always reminds me that there isn't any right or wrong way to do something and to let your guard down and try new things.

Work-life balance was always a hard thing for me before the pandemic. I was constantly consuming myself with work and side projects that were all related to work and started to not be as fulfilling as it once was.

Over the last couple of years, I've tried to do my best to take care of my mental health and be more protective of my time with family.

I try and start my mornings meditating, walking our dog Cash, and taking the kids out to the lake to fish and kayak when the weather permits. Then, completely disconnect and go outside. My wife and I also built a tiki bar below our deck and found ourselves out there most nights enjoying conversation, music, and a few sake bombs (our house drink).