Two days ago I agreed with my partner that we would take a month-long break from games.

There was no big dramatic reason, we'd just noticed we've been spending more time gaming than we would like. I felt like my time could be spent better if I didn't have chunks of my day magically disappear the moment I booted up RDR2. I also felt sapped of creativity, bored and uninspired, which is not ideal for an artist.

It's only day 2 and it's a STRUGGLE. I find myself accessing some feelings that I guess all that gaming time was covering up. I'm antsy but unmotivated at the same time, most things feel a bit dull I guess. I tried drawing earlier today and it was a bit of a disaster but I'm really glad I did it. I'm rusty as hell and it will take a few days to readjust, so I'm not expecting any masterpieces for now.

My goal for this month-long break is to access other media and reach for new things that may inspire me and get me out of this rut. I have an arsenal of journals (one for everything, one for art journaling, two empty ones - perhaps I could make the Midori one into a media journal?), 2 semi-fresh sketchbooks, an e-reader and a few books I've been meaning to get to - so in theory, plenty to do. In theory.

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I think it's time to put together a list of books I want to read, films I want to watch and maybe even some series to have playing in the background. I'll probably treat it more as a menu than a checklist, that should make it less intimidating.

A book I keep coming back to in moments like these is Scheinberger's Dare to Sketch. His writing is so encouraging and the art featured radiates authenticity that transforms me to the places he portrays. It's nice to see less polished pieces, makes it easier to accept imperfections in my own work.

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Side quests for today:

• pick out one online Harvard course
• prepare a calligraphy book to reference (Internet Archive <3)
• do a line drawing of my little resin antler trinket
• continue reading Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Side quests for tomorrow:

• pick out a few references for a sketchbook spread
• make a media list
• watch that one watercolor tutorial I'd been putting off