Provided You're Still Here

Sep.2024

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Provided You're Still Here

For this journal piece, I’m leaning into a more freestyle approach. Last month was busy, and this month is already filling up. And honestly? I love it. I've got my work cut out for me in some areas, but I love it. There’s something invigorating about jumping from one thing to another without feeling like I’m losing any momentum or motivation. Though, let’s be real — it could just be the caffeine.


SuperHi

01 The Light at the End of the Tunnel for $9.99 a Month

I’m still working through both new and ongoing projects, collaborating with some brilliant people that continue to challenge and inspire me.

I don’t think I have a singular goal when it comes to designing right now. It’s more about staying curious, constantly learning, and just having fun with it.

There’s no strict agenda, no rigid plan.


“I’ve always believed that good work begets good work.” Cillian Murphy by Robbie Lawrence for The New York Times, 2023

I’ve been rolling with this mindset, and surprisingly, it feels way more productive for me. It’s like I’ve subconsciously adopted a new approach this past year without even realizing it.

This in itself feels like progress.

02 Late Nights, Early Mornings, and Everything in Between

Lately, my evenings have had this calm that I never really noticed before — a stillness that I’m proud to be creating memories around.

From late-night conversations in the car with my dad about the future of electric vehicles and his borderline obsession with Taco Bell, to watching football together and him jokingly declaring that the GEICO gecko is real and definitely not CGI.

It’s these moments that are grounding me, reminding me that there’s more to this hustle than just deadlines and deliverables.


Stanley Kubrick & Vivian Kubrick interview, 1980

These days, I find myself making decisions with three simple questions: “Will it be fun?”, “Will it be new?” and “Will I learn something?” That’s become my north star.

If the answer to all is ‘yes,’ I’m in. Feels like this mindset has been steering me through every project, every challenge, every conversation. It’s a surprisingly effective filter, cutting through the noise and keeping things fresh, interesting, and meaningful.


The Sopranos, S2 E4

03 Are You Going to See the Rose in the Vase, or the Dust on the Table?

Even the most routine tasks have started to take on a new life when approached with the right mindset.

Things that used to feel monotonous now feel like an opportunity to experiment, to refine, or just to enjoy the process. And honestly, it's been a game-changer.

But even in these quiet moments, there’s a clarity emerging. It’s not the kind of clarity that says, “I know exactly where I’m going.” Instead, it’s the kind that says, “I’m here, I’m creating, and I’m good with whatever happens next.”

This approach has been liberating in a way — like shedding layers of expectations I didn’t even realize I had.


Heat, 1995

There’s something about the juxtaposition of calm and chaos that’s keeping me balanced. And as much as I thrive in the fast-paced, caffeine-fueled grind, I’m learning to savor the stillness too. Savor the moments of silence. Moments of nothingness.

Maybe that’s growth, or maybe it’s just what happens when you stop overcomplicating everything and start enjoying the ride.


SOUNDTRACKS:

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars by Tony Bennett, 1963

February 28, 2016 by Koe Wetzel, 2016

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