JOURNALS

Today, I set out with the intention of managing my day effectively and keeping expectations low. The idea was to work for 50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break, ensuring I remained focused and didn't burn out. It's a tried-and-tested method that usually keeps me on track and balanced. Today, it was more about maintaining that routine and setting realistic goals to avoid disappointment.

I began my morning by editing the weeknotes videos for Monday through Thursday, adding audio and doing some colour grading. It's a task that needs patience, but seeing it come together is always satisfying. Once that was done, I moved on to more technical work—trying to improve the handwriting code. The challenge was to get the letters to transition more smoothly by identifying better breakpoints.

Just before midday, I remembered I had a head massage appointment scheduled. It had slipped my mind but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The massage was quite nice, especially since I usually avoid them due to discomfort with being touched. The massage therapist pointed out tension in my neck from excessive computer use and gave me some exercises to help. This is something I'll need to integrate into my routine, so I'll probably need reminders for that.

Lunchtime arrived, and I went for a walk to get some fresh air and reset my thoughts. Walking to and from the studio already provides some outdoor time, but an extra bit of exercise always helps clear the mind, even if it’s brief. These little moments outside are crucial for maintaining a fresh perspective, especially when dealing with intricate coding and art projects.

After lunch, I dove back into the handwriting project, still focusing on the breakpoints. It’s a daunting task, requiring me to manually adjust around 4,000 pairs of letters. Even if each adjustment takes just 10 seconds, that's about 10 hours of work. Breaking it down into manageable chunks, like two hours a day over the next week, seems like the best approach.

The most rewarding part of my day was seeing the progress in the handwriting code. Each step involved writing code to test assumptions, and it was gratifying to see those assumptions turn out correct. It's encouraging to see something functional emerge from what initially seemed like a mountain of data points.

Toward the end of the day, I compiled the week's work into a weeknotes video. This required some last-minute additions and editing but was ultimately fulfilling.

I concluded the day feeling more relaxed compared to the start of the week. Although there's always a lingering worry about the studio sale and its delays, overall, I felt I managed to stay on top of everything. The combination of effective routines, incremental progress on long-term projects, and a bit of leisure made today a balanced and productive day.

Looking forward, I'll need to keep track of the neck exercises suggested by the massage therapist and ensure I integrate them into my daily routine. It’s one more step to maintaining not just my creative output but also my physical well-being.