Creative Spring

I made a little shift in how I prioritize this spring. With several ongoing projects I had to keep a steady ship, and what had to go first was to update about the progress on social media.

…a bit ironic, since I probably never had more in progress stuff to share, like, ever. But I was working on four projects (not simultaneously, and with different deadlines) and the start-up meetings and communication about the different projects went on from January and was completed this week. (First week of June)

Picture of hands in sketchbook painting boardsgame titles

My project management skills have been under pressure, and all projects are now in print, printed, or about to go into print. If you want to read my pre-project post about the projects have a look here. The labels for Hardangerbonden was completed in () and came rolling into their (tun) (date), but I have yet to actually hold the bottles and see the final result. (Soon! Read about the project here) The book for KODE (read about the project here) is now in print, and will be delivered in August, the board game for Kystmuseet and UiB has been test printed, trough game testing, and is off to print today (Yay!) (read about the project here) and my illustrations for Fløyen are in print as we speak, and are just a few weeks away from our forest vernissage when they are mounted at Fløyen. (read about fløyen project here)

Picture of drawing fløyen stuff

The shift in priorities came about early, I realized if I was too meet the deadlines I couldn’t also have my mind on regular social media posts. So that went. Then I realized I had to forgo spending time traveling back and forth to the gym, so that went too, but I kept my daily yoga and yoga classes and getting fresh air hiking. Making new products for my gallery shop. My own projects.

What I did keep was not eating shit, avoiding coffee and sugar, and not stopping going to concerts. And then this turned into a lifestyle blog. (No). But my point is that in stressful periods I always remember what a game developer once told me, something along the lines of “If you want to actually finish the game, finish on time, be a good team member; sleep well, communicate well, and eat carrots.” It probably sounds boring and counter-productive not throwing all your waking hours at a project and doing all-nighters, but after doing this for almost 20 years I have learnt that productivity slows after running on cortisol and soda fumes for too long. And I know I need live music to fill up my creative stores.

Last picture of Kode bok boat

Now I finally have time to go to the gym and lift heavy things to keep the fine motorics in my hands. And I can spend more time creating just for me. Like writing my YA novel, read about the process here.