Since the beginning of the year, work has been busy, and as much as I enjoy that energy, productivity, and travel, my passion projects have fallen short in 2026. Sometimes I feel a sense of frustration at being back in an old work routine I consciously left behind me three years ago. At the same time, I’m incredibly grateful for people who trust and value my work, which is why I’m this busy in the first place. This is a big difference between being an observer of my situation and criticizing it.

For now, I have accepted that I have too much on my plate to do everything, and that further optimizing my day by getting up even earlier and working longer might give me more time, but doesn’t enhance the creative flow to make progress on my passion projects. This observation helps me identify my priorities for this chapter of my life — is it client work, passion projects, money, or time for my relationships and hobbies?

I haven’t been much of a 5-year plan type of person, because the openness to change and new adventures has brought me so much joy in life. However, if I envision my passion projects to grow into something meaningful, I have to give them time and energy to get there. By dreaming about them only, they will never become reality.

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