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Embracing Change as a Web Designer
Why Change is Essential for Web Designers
The start of a new year always brings a fresh perspective, and for me, that meant reevaluating my routines. As a web designer, I know how quickly things change—whether it’s new software, evolving client needs, or industry-wide shifts like the ongoing WordPress drama. But even knowing that, I’ve always struggled with breaking free from comfortable but outdated habits. This week, I set out to embrace change in my routines, and it turned out to be both eye-opening and surprisingly difficult.
The Challenge of Breaking Old Habits
I like structure. I like knowing what to expect when I sit down at my desk. But I also know that some of my habits are more about familiarity than efficiency. I found myself going through the motions, using processes that don’t work for me anymore—just because that’s how I’ve always done things.
One of my biggest challenges this week was recognizing when I was sticking to an old routine out of habit rather than because it was helpful. I had to keep reminding myself that flexibility is key to growth. I even started my mornings with the mantra: Change is an opportunity, not a setback. It sounds simple, but just saying it out loud helped me stay in the right mindset throughout the day.
A Surprising Discovery: Finding the Right Tools
One thing I didn’t expect was how hard it is to choose a new tool when you’ve been burned before. Over the years, I’ve tried countless project management apps. Some were too complicated, others didn’t fit my workflow, and some weren’t worth the price. Years ago, I tested Basecamp and liked it, but at $100 per month, it wasn’t feasible for me then.
This week, I revisited Basecamp out of curiosity and discovered they had completely changed their pricing model. Now, it’s $15 monthly for an individual user with unlimited projects. That’s a game-changer! I spent time setting it up, and for the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful about finally having a project management system that works for me.
Tools & Resources That Helped
- Basecamp – The pricing made sense to me this time, and I'm excited to put it to work finally. (Learn more)
- Web Designer Pro by Josh Hall – I've been part of this community for a while, and Josh recently mentioned Basecamp in a training video. It pushed me to give it another look. If you're a web designer looking to refine your business, his training is worth checking out. (Affiliate link)
Lessons Learned
What was the biggest thing I took away from this week? Just deciding to be open to change made a difference. It wasn't about forcing new habits all at once but about shifting my mindset so that change didn't feel overwhelming. The more I embraced it, the easier it became to see what needed to evolve.
Moving Forward
I'm not stopping here. I don't serve myself by getting stuck in old ways, so I commit to staying open-minded. I'll keep experimenting with new processes and evaluating what works instead of defaulting to familiar ones.
How You Can Implement This Habit
If you're trying to embrace change in your work, don't overwhelm yourself by reinventing everything at once. Start with a mindset shift. Ask yourself: Am I doing this because it's effective, or just because it's familiar? Test one small change, track how it impacts your work, and build from there.
By making small, intentional shifts, you'll be better prepared for whatever comes next in your web design journey. And trust me—change is coming, whether we like it or not. The question is, are we ready to embrace it?
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use and trust. See my full disclosure here.
about the author
Cami MacNamara is a web designer and owner of WebCami LLC, a Seattle-based agency since 2002. She created Web Designer Habits to help web designers build smarter systems, stay productive, and run a business that works for them.