Feeling overwhelmed can be quicksand
Productivity — at least for me — is traveling near quicksand. At times, I slip into cycles wherein I take on more work than I can healthfully handle. The ground looks firm enough. I can totally make it through, and get it all done. So why not keep going?
Reflecting and journaling are my pathways out. My pens are the branches we were taught as kids to use to pull yourself out of quicksand.
Taking myself out of my pen and ink choices
Last week found me with only one pen inked. Uno. Solo. Odd — for me. Clearly the time for a new currently inked has arrived.
Additionally, a full December of using Diamine’s Inkvent left me out of practice with choosing which inks to use. So I took the Gygax route to select this week’s pens and inks. I have a full write-up on the methodology here. It’s fun and well-worth trying out at least once. Dragons not required.
Finding a remote teaching rhythm
My first week back in school is fully remote. The beginning of the calendar year offers a chance to reset. To consider my writing and thinking tools with fresh(er) eyes. And to select six pen and ink combos that will help me slip into a rhythm.
My attention has kept Diamine’s inkvent inks firmly in frame for four weeks now. I’m expanding this week. The focus is on inks I haven’t given ample time to of late.
Strolling into week four of the inkvent challenge
Christmas has come and gone, offering up a balanced set of six new inkvent inks to play with. This week’s six inks fit snugly into my comfort zone: two blue-greens, two earth tones, and two accent colors — a purple and a pink. Bwaha. Bwahaha.
A quick recap is in order before I dig into the new currently inked. This is the fourth and final week of my 2021 Inkvent Challenge. The challenge is to cobble together a functional collection of pens and inks using only the Inkvent inks for days 19 to 24.