Brain Dump
Creative Block is a weekly newsletter that gives you a glimpse into my life, creativity, design, and music. It's like a little pick-me-up that you get delivered straight to your inbox each week.
Hello everyone,
It's been a little over a week since my last newsletter, and I wanted to share some thoughts with you. Last week, I found myself struggling to come up with topics that felt genuine. I firmly believe in quality over quantity, so I didn't want to write just for the sake of it. Today, I'm taking a different approach and sharing a bit of a "brain dump" with you all. Consider this a more casual and personal update. Don't worry, I'll keep it concise.
I’ve been working very hard on launching my jacket and I’m happy to announce that I’ll be launching it THIS FRIDAY (August 25th) through this newsletter. It will then go public on the 28th. I’m doing a limited run so first come first serve. This is my first ever Jacket design. I’m trying to expand my canvas from posters to clothing.
Lately, I've noticed a pattern in my daily routine. I've been drowning out my thoughts with constant stimuli like podcasts, music, and YouTube videos. The idea of silence has become foreign and even uncomfortable, as my mind seems to be in perpetual overdrive. Strangely, this changed one day when I caught myself about to wash the dishes while simultaneously scrolling through my phone for something to listen to. Instead, I decided to embrace the silence and just be with my thoughts. It turned out to be an unexpectedly therapeutic experience. Listening to my own mind, my emotions, and my heart felt like a reset I didn't know I needed. It's made me realize that I want to actively listen to myself more often, rather than drowning out my thoughts with external noise.
On the business front, purchasing the Photography studio has been a mix of excitement and hard work. We're brainstorming updates for the studio space, considering various color backdrops for the upcoming fall and Christmas seasons, and I've been entrusted with the task of rebranding the studio logo. It's a lot to juggle, but I'm confident that this experience will bring about valuable lessons and shape the promising future of THE TX STUDIO.
I've reached a point where I've grown tired of the constant barrage of social media content. Every scroll seems to reveal yet another post promising astronomical follower growth or incredible financial success in a matter of weeks. It's a narrative that's become exhausting.
I've realized that my tendency to overthink has started to affect my decision-making. Something as simple as buying a pair of shoes I've been eyeing since May becomes a mental tug-of-war. The habit of overthinking likely stems from my childhood, where I would play out various scenarios in my head before even asking my parents a question. While this trait has its benefits, it can also be paralyzing.
I've been working on being more present in the moment. It's alarming how quickly days and weeks pass by. Life's brevity has become increasingly apparent, urging me to cherish each moment more intentionally.
In terms of personal development, I'm considering expanding my skill set by learning some new design techniques. Tutorials are on my radar, and I'm excited to see how I can apply these skills to my creative toolkit.
I've been reflecting on my journey with learning Cinema 4D, a 3D software. While it's been a significant effort, I've come to terms with the fact that continuing might not align with my goals. It's not about admitting defeat, but rather recognizing when a direction isn't the best fit. So, I'm considering exploring alternatives like BLENDER, a free 3D software, and leveraging the 3D tool in Illustrator.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your patience. Your support means the world to me.
love what you said about embracing silence! that’s something i have to make a conscious effort to embrace as well, especially while i’m driving. God be dropping bars in those quiet moments.
Love your writing style - thank you for sharing your thoughts. During my first internship with an incredible illustrator in New York I learned how essential silence is to concentration and self-knowing. I had always listened to music when I painted, but he banned it during our time together, and I quickly found that the quality of my output increased as my full attention was able to go into what I was doing. During those moments of working that require less focus, I found, as you said, that just being able to do some mental processing was really therapeutic. Multi-tasking is so encouraged in our day and age and I think it kills some of the creativity born out of boredom. I am so excited to read your newsletter more now!