This week, we're adding more pages to our Spellbook. Here's what we'll be talking about:

One big idea we’ve learned each week, shaped into words you can carry forward.

Something funny has been happening in our company.
Most workplaces worry about people taking too many leaves.
Our problem is the opposite.

People cannot seem to take leaves at all.

We have been wondering why?
Our leave culture is open.
People can take it anytime.
No one needs to apply weeks before.
We never made rest a big deal.

But even on days when someone does take a leave, they still end up coming to the office to chill.
They sit on the couch.
They update someone.
They edit a little.
They talk about work.

We used to smile at this.
We thought it showed how much people felt at home here.
We never saw it as a problem.

But then something happened.

Over the past month, things started to look…different.
No one was slacking, but something in the air felt heavy.

People came in later.
People left earlier.
The energy felt slower.
The spark behind our ideas felt dimmer.

Projects started to feel like deadlines instead of creative playgrounds.
The fun turned into “ughh again?”.
The excitement turned into quiet routines.

Still, no one said they were burnt out.
Everyone said, “I am okay.”
“I’m fine.”
“Just tired today.”

But their eyes told a different story.
Their tones sang a different tune.

Then suddenly, we started hearing a new question in the office.
A soft one.
Almost whispered.

“Hey, can I take a break?”

And every time someone did, they returned calmer.
Clearer.
More alive.
More themselves.

That was when it clicked!

In creative teams, rest is strange.
We love what we do.
We are excited by what we build.
We feel connected to the people around us.

Rest almost feels unnecessary.
Or worse, guilty.

We know how to push.
We know how to sprint.
But slowing down is not something we learned naturally.
We are still learning it now.

I see the truth of that every time someone takes a break and returns with renewed light in their face.

The crash did not break us.
It revealed us.

It showed us that burnout does not always look dramatic.
Sometimes it looks like:
quiet heaviness
shorter conversations
less laughter
reduced energy
a slower spark

It showed us that rest is not a sign of weakness.
It is a sign of responsibility.

And most of all, it showed us that when people rest, the team becomes stronger.

Now we hear more people say, “I need a breather.”
And we see them return with more clarity.
More ideas.
More patience.
More joy.

The work feels fun again.
The projects feel lighter again.
The room feels alive again.

We used to think productivity came from working hard.
Now we know it also comes from resting well.

Snapshots from our week — the work, the people, and the little victories worth sharing.

The team did what the team does best — a little bit of everything. Alfath and Limin hosted badminton with Hafiz, Hisham, and Liza, while Hafiz somehow also found time for fishing, cousin dinners, Pop Mart shopping with Steph, café hopping, and multiple food runs.

Majidah went on a KB trip with her cousins, Haziyah spent the weekend tabling at Hobby Hangout with Parallel Play, and Amal, Imamull, and Qilull headed to Miri for work. Raf and Judin went bowling. Batrisyia binged dramas (IQIYI resubscribed) and made a makeup brush holder at a clay workshop. Aiman visited the new PokéLabs and did what had to be done — bought many Pokémon packs.

Hisham enjoyed quality time with his partner and also bought Pokémon and One Piece cards. Priorities. And then there’s Elroy who celebrated the holidays and spent his time simply resting.

Before the year wrapped up, Haziyah and Parallel Play squeezed in one last (and biggest yet) tabling event at Hobby Hangout: The Final Quest at ICC. Compared to their vendoring debut at Hobbyfest back in July, this event was on a whole other scale — and they came prepared with even more silly creations. Highlights included a gacha-style fortune print featuring 11 very oddly specific scenarios for the year ahead, making it a fun and memorable way to end the year.

Our creative director, Amal Osmera has reached a new milestone in her life, she’s officially hit the big 30! Our long time client turned friend, Fadhli Sulaiman surprised Amal with a cake, too! Thanks Fadhli, it was delicious.

Happy birthday, Amal! May this new decade bring you big dreams, soft moments, and lots of good food.

We recently headed over to Ken O’Flaherty’s home to film a Christmas greeting for British High Commission’s social media, and it was an experience to remember. Most of the team were visiting the house for the first time and couldn’t help but take in the stunning view which overlooked the Temburong Bridge and the sea. Our liaison, Viviana Metussin, was incredibly warm and accommodating, making us feel right at home (even though, as Bruneians, wearing shoes on carpet felt a little odd at first!). Ken himself was a pleasure to work with. He was calm, welcoming, and effortlessly charismatic. Elroy Ramantan was also on-site, helping to coordinate the shoot smoothly. Despite the steep drive up to the house, the team pulled off a great shoot, and it was a fun, memorable way to wrap up a festive project.

We’ve successfully wrapped up our TBK shoots, and one standout moment was seeing Alimin Affendi deliver exceptional art throughout the production. We’re especially proud that most of the shoot featured fresh faces and talented new performers, bringing a refreshing energy and authenticity to the visuals. It was a rewarding experience all around, and the team came together beautifully to bring the concept to life.

Things we’re loving lately, because inspiration hides where you least expect them.

If you’re shooting seriously with your ZV-E10, this SmallRig camera cage is a game-changer, as recommended by Aaqilull Qhaeer. It offers solid protection for your camera and gives you tons of mounting options — with plenty of threaded holes to attach monitors, magic arms, mics, handles, lights, and whatever else your rig needs. The cage also makes it way easier to grab and shoot from different angles without feeling awkward or unstable. For anyone looking to level up their setup without breaking the bank, this is a handy piece of kit to have.

The team is officially in their fragrance era, with everyone embracing a different signature scent. While most prefer to gatekeep their favourites, Ampuan Hafiz is letting us in on his — Galleria by Indonesian fragrance house, Alchemist. The scent opens with juicy plum and soft jasmine, blooms into a creamy tuberose heart, and settles into a warm honey and redwood base that feels sweet, romantic, and comforting. With a solid 4/5 sillage and projection, it leaves a noticeable yet elegant trail — present without overpowering — making it perfect for everyday wear or intimate evenings.

If you want to read the previous pages, head over to this link right here:

That’s all for this week. See you on the next page of the Spellbook.

At AICREATIVV, we aim to make everyone who engages with us 1% better—from clients to community. Public Victory, always.

Each week, we'll share insights, tips, and recommendations to help you learn the magical combination of strategy, creativity, and business know-how that truly enchants your audience.

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