Welcome back to the Stack. It’s funny that you mention all of the analog stuff. I started leaving my phone at home if I was running errands that took less than 90 minutes. I bought a Blu-ray player so I could play physical DVDs and any of my CDs that I have plus check out new ones from the library. I’m canceling as many subscriptions as possible, and spending a lot more time with sketch books and notebooks. A goal for the year, 365 walks with no phone and a minimum of 10,000 steps, no matter what the weather conditions are.
Hell yes, I've been grabbing CD's on the cheap from the library and listening to all kinds of random music (as long as the cover is cool, I'm plunking $1 to see what it's got).
Hi Dave! I’m similar, I decided to not freelance design anymore and work full time happily. However, I have an itch to create again just not for the platform but for myself. Anyway, stay in touch?
Welcome back Dave! I was wondering what you were up to. The art will come out when it needs to come out. As to not having any musical abilities, you have a Mac, GarageBand is free and is loads of fun! Just play around and find joy in the simple act of creation. Take care.
I have all of those wants you listed, every freakin day. I’d be excited for an iPod so I can just listen to music, that I loaded. Stopped wearing my Apple Watch for fewer distractions. I could go on, but won’t. Welcome back!
Good to hear from you Dave! I can so relate to this and am glad you gave yourself some time to “go dark.”
As you probably recall, after my book, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to make anything ever again. I’m slowly coming back to it and allowing myself to make stuff just for the joy of it. I’m also finding solace in the analog. I’m looking forward to what’s next for you!
Welcome back! I'm all for a more analog life, one of the things I'd like to do is limit my time on notes...baby steps for now, but I think it's in the air for sure!
I’m really glad to hear from you, Dave. I loved your zines and found them genuinely inspiring, so it was meaningful to read this reflection and understand the journey you’ve been on. What you’re describing feels honest and earned—stepping back, listening for what’s real, letting creativity change shape rather than forcing it. The way music, fatherhood, and a simpler, more tactile life are re-entering feels like its own kind of art. Thank you for sharing where you are. It’s good to see you again, in whatever form that takes.
Welcome back, Dave! I feel those feels about analog starting around the pandemic and got a turntable working again on my Hifi setup in my office. Also picked up a used iPod mini gen 1 on eBay like the one I used to have and love that too. It’s good to be reminded that life has dimensionality to it!
We'll be glad to have you back in any capacity Dave! I totally get it about the break on making things. I have a major art project that I've been on break from for 8 years that just in the last couple of days started feeling a little excited about getting back to. We feel how we feel and we don't have to make apologies for that. Music is a pretty bad ass way to fill your time:) I think so many people are ready to get back to a more analog life. We need slow, time to think and seeing people in person more. I hope you're finding more of all the things right now:)
Welcome back to the Stack. It’s funny that you mention all of the analog stuff. I started leaving my phone at home if I was running errands that took less than 90 minutes. I bought a Blu-ray player so I could play physical DVDs and any of my CDs that I have plus check out new ones from the library. I’m canceling as many subscriptions as possible, and spending a lot more time with sketch books and notebooks. A goal for the year, 365 walks with no phone and a minimum of 10,000 steps, no matter what the weather conditions are.
I legitimately believe it’s a revolution. I am carrying CDs in my truck again.
Hell yes, I've been grabbing CD's on the cheap from the library and listening to all kinds of random music (as long as the cover is cool, I'm plunking $1 to see what it's got).
Beautifully said. We all need breaks from the stress of the raging world. I am glad you are kicking back to smell the roses!
Hi Dave! I’m similar, I decided to not freelance design anymore and work full time happily. However, I have an itch to create again just not for the platform but for myself. Anyway, stay in touch?
Yeah, I’ll be around. Thanks Danielle.
Welcome back Dave! I was wondering what you were up to. The art will come out when it needs to come out. As to not having any musical abilities, you have a Mac, GarageBand is free and is loads of fun! Just play around and find joy in the simple act of creation. Take care.
Thanks, Chaz. working on the joy part.
Choosing not to create is still a form of creation. That made sense in my head. Welcome back.
Thanks Joel. Glad to be back.
Happy to see you pop up in my feed.
I have all of those wants you listed, every freakin day. I’d be excited for an iPod so I can just listen to music, that I loaded. Stopped wearing my Apple Watch for fewer distractions. I could go on, but won’t. Welcome back!
It definitely feels like a shift is happening.
I think a lot of us feel this pull towards physical friction.
We’re revolutionaries
Good to hear from you Dave! I can so relate to this and am glad you gave yourself some time to “go dark.”
As you probably recall, after my book, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to make anything ever again. I’m slowly coming back to it and allowing myself to make stuff just for the joy of it. I’m also finding solace in the analog. I’m looking forward to what’s next for you!
Isn’t it crazy how the thing we ask for most can sometimes be our demise? I’m sure I’ll find my way back to the art again eventually.
Welcome back! I'm all for a more analog life, one of the things I'd like to do is limit my time on notes...baby steps for now, but I think it's in the air for sure!
it gets surprisingly easy after going dark for a couple weeks.
I’m really glad to hear from you, Dave. I loved your zines and found them genuinely inspiring, so it was meaningful to read this reflection and understand the journey you’ve been on. What you’re describing feels honest and earned—stepping back, listening for what’s real, letting creativity change shape rather than forcing it. The way music, fatherhood, and a simpler, more tactile life are re-entering feels like its own kind of art. Thank you for sharing where you are. It’s good to see you again, in whatever form that takes.
Thanks so much. Happy to share and I hope it continues to resonate.
I think I experienced a similar kind of creative crash too, but the mojo is starting to recover now. It's an unusual feeling...
Yeah, it’s weird, but I’m sure it’s cyclical.
Welcome back, Dave! I feel those feels about analog starting around the pandemic and got a turntable working again on my Hifi setup in my office. Also picked up a used iPod mini gen 1 on eBay like the one I used to have and love that too. It’s good to be reminded that life has dimensionality to it!
Indeed. Thanks Mike.
We'll be glad to have you back in any capacity Dave! I totally get it about the break on making things. I have a major art project that I've been on break from for 8 years that just in the last couple of days started feeling a little excited about getting back to. We feel how we feel and we don't have to make apologies for that. Music is a pretty bad ass way to fill your time:) I think so many people are ready to get back to a more analog life. We need slow, time to think and seeing people in person more. I hope you're finding more of all the things right now:)
Thanks Andrea. Working toward better daylight.
Welcome back! It is good to « see » you.
Thanks Rhonni. Same same.