*(Okay, so, my study doesn’t look that dingy in real life—that’s just a “dramatic” filter on my camera that makes things look more antiquated. I actually like the creepy effect.)*

I can’t believe it’s been roughly a year since I have started this blog.

It’s funny how drastically my work ethic has changed in that amount of time. When I started this blog, I was pretty militant. Stick to the schedule—publish a post every other Friday! Plan ahead! Aim to work weeks ahead of schedule! It’s the way to stay on top of business, the way of the 21st century—oh, the heck with 21st century standards and expectations and let it all rot. I love being a rebel and an anachronism.

That methodology, while ideal from a prospective of productivity and efficiency, wasn’t the best for my mental or physical health. It stressed me out at times. It hurt my hands to the point of needing to go on hiatus in early 2025. That was all the opposite of desired outcome—much like most of my experiences with medications.

The current tactic: ditch the schedule. Be flexible. When an idea hits me, I play with it on paper, but I don’t get too excited or stressed over it. I might use it. I might not. No sweat. I’m just thinking on paper. I’ll only consider posting something if it happens to click. Other than that, I’m just casually noodling with different concepts. It’s a far more peaceful approach and a far healthier approach. The whole point was to do something enjoyable, anyway. I just have a bad tendency to turn everything into labor somehow. This laid-back method is foreign to my nature, but I need it. It’s a lesson, as most things in life are. But at least it’s turning into a gentle lesson—which is getting harder to come by in this world.

I started this blog partially for myself and partially for others. I wanted to produce small things on a semi-regular basis to share with others after being so isolated about my work for so long. I wanted to make good of some of my bad experiences, namely my repetitive strain injuries, by making other people aware of how drastic they can become.

I was in great pain when I started working on The Constrained Creative and managed to go downhill again not many months later, but I’m now probably the best I’ve been in about 6 years—regarding my RSIs and musculoskeletal issues in general. I still hurt easily, but I’m better at managing it and don’t require as much therapy as before. I’m even able to sling a bag over my shoulder again, which I was unable to do for years!

Frustratingly, I’m struggling a great deal in other departments healthwise right now, but I’m not so greedy as to expect perfection all at once—I’m as much a work in progress as anyone else.

And then there are fountain pens. As AI infiltrates more aspects of life, as I hear more about the detrimental effects on the brains of those who rely so heavily on such technologies—it only makes me want to rant all the more about the virtues of pen and paper. This age needs it. To lean too heavily on tech is damaging to the self and to society at large. We need to think. We need to slow down. We need to heal. We need to come back to life. When I see people with their eyes glued to their screens, I’m not seeing life. It looks more like a sort of eerie half-life, and it distresses me.

I think the themes I’m focusing on work well for muddling through this age we’re stuck in: creativity, health, analog tools. I’m glad I started out on this venture. I needed it. And I sincerely hope you’re enjoying my efforts.

Here’s to more bloggage!

Blog Anniversary

Water Pistol Pens