The pressure to keep up is lying to you
If you’ve been feeling AI fatigue, drowning in hot takes, or just generally unsure what you should actually be doing right now as a designer… this one’s for you.
I got this DM from a designer last week — and I know they’re not alone.
"Currently, I just feel so overwhelmed/fatigued of all this AI. Every day hearing designers take on how and what they do with AI, their take on the job role, and a constant worrying in my head about the future and uncertainty of how it's going to be working as a designer going forward."
If you’ve been feeling AI fatigue, drowning in hot takes, or just generally unsure what you should actually be doing right now as a designer… this one’s for you.
Let’s talk about how to reduce the noise and focus on what matters.
Step 1: Reconnect with what actually matters
Ask yourself:
What aspects of design work do I love doing?
What type of companies or teams do I want to work on?
What skills or responsibilities show up again and again in those roles?
✨ Tip: Look at 3-5 job postings for roles you’d be excited about. Highlight the actual responsibilities and required skills. That’s your personal roadmap — not whatever is trending this week on LinkedIn.
👉 Grab my free This or That guide and my Skill Gap Analysis if you’re ready to dive straight in.
Step 2: Audit the noise
Feeling overwhelmed usually means there’s too much input — not enough clarity.
Try this:
Unfollow or mute voices that constantly trigger stress, comparison, or FOMO
Limit your “inspiration scroll” to a few trusted sources
Bookmark content you actually plan to use instead of saving everything
✨ Tip: Your digital space should support your growth, not distract from it. Be ruthless about what stays.
Step 3: Focus on your actual role (or dream role)
You don’t need to master every AI tool. You need to master what your team or your future teams value.
Ask:
What are the expectations for my role today, or the role I want to be in?
What problems does my team/company need help solving?
Are there tools or workflows (AI or not) that could help me do that better?
✨ Tip: AI isn’t the job — it’s a tool for the job. Start by identifying the job, then experiment from there.
And remember — there is no industry standard for a design role.
Some startups working at the cutting edge may expect deep AI fluency. Other industries like finance, education, or government tend to move significantly slower and value different things. There will always be a wide spectrum of needs across industries where product and UX designers are needed.
You don’t need to move at sonic speed to “keep up.” You need to move at your speed toward what fits your goals.
Step 4: Give yourself permission to experiment
There are a lot of ways to “be a designer” — not just in the tools we use, but in the paths we take.
You don’t have to pick the perfect one. You just have to try things and pay attention to what energizes you.
Try:
Taking a stab at coding, getting deeper into research, or picking up a few freelance projects
Talking to designers who work in different environments and learning what their day-to-day is really like
Keeping a journal of what feels like a good fit for your skills, values, and lifestyle
Exploration is progress. You’re not behind for not doing everything. You’re ahead if you’re doing something with intention.
I challenge you…
List out the skills you want to grow or the experience you want to gain.
Unsure what to focus on? Pick one role or type of company you’d love to work for. Find 2-3 current job listings that match that type of role. Make a list of the most frequently mentioned responsibilities and skills.Audit your learning, projects, and most importantly… your feed — are they aligned with those priorities?
Remove 3 sources of noise this week that aren’t helping you move forward. Even if it’s me!
✨ You don’t need to do more. You need to do what matters.
Final thought
Yes, the design field is evolving fast. But no, you don’t have to chase every trend to have a place in it.
Figure out what matters to you, focus on what’s required for the work you want to be doing, and let the rest fade into the background.
Clarity always beats chaos.
You've got this.
P.S. If you have any tips that would help other designers who might be feeling overwhelmed, drop them in the comments below.