Figure Out Your “Make It Pretty”

There are a few scene that live rent free in my head from The Real Housewives of New York where Dorinda one where she says ” I cooked all day, I decorated, I did it nice” and another where she slams her hand on the table and says, “I’ll tell you how I’m doing. Not well, bitch. Make it nice.”

Except in my world, the phrase is slightly different.

Make it pretty.

When my brain feels loud, scattered, overwhelmed, or just plain full. When I know things need to get done but everything feels heavier than it should. When pushing harder would only make me shut down faster. I do not force productivity.

I make it pretty.

This might look unproductive from the outside. But it is one of the most effective regulation tools I have ever learned.

What “Make It Pretty” Actually Means

Making it pretty is not procrastination. It is not avoidance. It is not busywork.

It is intentional low pressure progress.

For me, making it pretty usually means opening something that already exists and cleaning it up. A presentation that needs formatting. A document that needs structure. A visual that needs clarity. A layout that needs breathing room.

I am still working. I am still moving something forward. But I am doing it in a way that does not add cognitive load.

There are no decisions with stakes. No pressure to be strategic. No demand to solve the hardest problem first.

Just structure. Alignment. Order.

And something about that unlocks my nervous system.

Why This Works When Your Head Feels Overwhelmed

When your brain is overwhelmed, it is not because you are lazy or incapable. It is because your system is overloaded.

Most people respond to this by trying to push through. More effort. More discipline. More forcing.

That almost always backfires.

Making it pretty works because it gives your brain three things it desperately needs when it is overstimulated.

First, it creates visible progress.

Even if the task is small, the output is tangible. Something looks better than it did before. Something feels more complete. Your brain registers that you are moving forward, not stuck.

Second, it reduces decision fatigue.

Formatting, organizing, and visual cleanup are largely rule based. Fonts align or they do not. Spacing improves or it does not. There is very little emotional risk involved.

Third, it restores a sense of control.

Chaos lives in the abstract. Order lives in the visible. When you make something pretty, you are reminding yourself that you can shape your environment instead of being swallowed by it.

That shift alone can calm the noise enough to think clearly again.

The Hidden Power of Mindless Progress

We tend to undervalue tasks that feel easy or enjoyable. We label them as distractions instead of tools.

But here is the truth.

Mindless progress is still progress.

In fact, it is often the bridge back to meaningful work.

When I spend twenty minutes making something look clean, cohesive, and finished, I almost always come back to the harder task in a better head space. The fog lifts. The resistance softens. The work feels doable again.

Not because the problem changed.

Because I did.

Your “Make It Pretty” Might Look Different

This is not about design specifically. That just happens to be my version.

Your make it pretty could be something else entirely.

It might be organizing files. Cleaning up your inbox. Renaming folders. Updating a dashboard. Laying out notes in a cleaner way. Tidying your workspace. Rewriting something you already wrote to sound clearer.

The key is that it is creative enough to feel grounding and simple enough to feel safe.

No pressure. No performance. No proving.

Just forward motion.

Why This Matters for Women Especially

Women are often taught that rest is earned and ease is suspicious. That if something feels good, it must not count.

So when overwhelm hits, we try to muscle through it. Or we freeze and then judge ourselves for freezing.

Making it pretty is a quiet rebellion against that pattern.

It says, I can choose a softer entry point without abandoning responsibility.

It says, I can regulate my system and still get things done.

It says, productivity does not have to hurt to be real.

Make It Pretty On Purpose

The mistake is waiting until you are completely fried to reach for this tool.

Instead, build it into your rhythm.

When you notice the mental clutter creeping in, do not immediately tackle the hardest thing on your list. Pick something that already exists and make it better.

Clean it. Shape it. Clarify it.

Let that be the doorway back into focus.

Because sometimes the fastest way forward is not pushing harder.

It is making it pretty.

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DISCLAIMER: The content shared on Unfiltered Alignment is for educational and informational purposes only. It reflects my experience, my opinions, and my perspective on building aligned, sustainable businesses. It is not legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Every business has unique needs, and requirements vary by state, city, industry, and individual circumstances. Please consult with a qualified attorney, accountant, or licensed professional before making decisions that affect your business, finances, or compliance. Align Method and Shelley are not responsible for any actions taken based on this content.