Worried about setting boundaries early in your creative career? Caitlin Thamm, counsellor and founder of Dance Care Australia, and Tarra van Amerongen, Head of Design at Atlassian, share practical advice on how to show ambition without sacrificing your wellbeing. From having upfront conversations with your boss to focusing on outcomes over hours, discover how to navigate the tricky balance between career progression and healthy boundaries. Because your wellbeing and career dreams can absolutely coexist.
Starting your career in the creative industry often comes with whispers about "paying your dues" and working extra hours. But what if you want to show ambition without sacrificing your wellbeing? You're not alone in wondering how to navigate this tricky balance.
This question was answered by Caitlin Thamm, counsellor and founder of Dance Care Australia, and Tarra van Amerongen, Head of Design at Atlassian and UTS innovation design teacher. The conversation was hosted by Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative.
The key is communication from day one. As Caitlin suggests, don't make assumptions about what's expected. "Have some clear communication at the beginning with your boss, knowing expectations on their end and your end," she advises. Ask directly: is working outside hours expected? What am I getting myself into?
This upfront approach shows you're driven and passionate about quality work, not just showing up for the sake of it. "You're joining together with them. You're kind of influencing this together," Caitlin explains.
Tarra points out that sometimes the expectation comes from generational habits. "There's a lot of people who just generational historical thing, they had to put in long hours... that's just how they kind of came up through the industry."
Others might see long hours as a proxy for commitment. But as Tarra notes, "we can get to outcomes quite quickly now. We have a lot of technology and a lot of things to enable us."
Value doesn't equal time spent at your desk. Ask for feedback on your outcomes and commitment rather than your hours. "Are you getting what you need from me?" is a powerful question that shifts the focus to results.
As Tarra emphasises: "Creative work outputs are bad" when people are burnt out. "The more you push a team and you push them to their limits, the work is horrible."
Appeal to what benefits your employer too. Caitlin highlights the research on burnout costs: "If you're burnt out, you're taking more sick days, they're spending more time hiring other people or taking longer on projects."
Well-rested, inspired people create better work. "That's when great work happens," says Tarra.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the culture won't shift. As Tarra puts it, you can "work through that situation or avoid that company altogether." Recognising unhealthy patterns early gives you the power to choose.
Setting healthy boundaries early in your career isn't about lacking ambition – it's about working smarter and creating sustainable success. You're not just protecting yourself; you're contributing to the culture shift the industry desperately needs. Your wellbeing and your career dreams can absolutely coexist.
Head of Design for Jira Platform at Atlassian with experience across in-house, agency & consulting. Teaches innovation design at UTS, advises on boards & is a trained Mental Health First Aider.
A psychologist and former dancer supporting creatives, especially dancers. Drawing on 15 years in the industry and qualifications in human services and counselling, she offers a safe, empathetic space for clients to work through challenges and grow.
Founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime & co-chair of Mentally Healthy, driven to make the creative industry fairer & more human. Believes great work should never cost wellbeing.
