Chocolate Inside

I’ve gotten so much done this week, compared to last! It’s so fun! I got color palettes set for two octopus characters, did a lot of life studies of cute little snakes, and developed the style I want to use for those characters. I found out that I can refill my Ohuhu markers with Copic inks, so that solved a problem on the horizon I was keeping an eye on. I still have to match colors, but I don’t foresee that being a problem. Here are some pictures of my works in progress this week.

We had two days of winter, then a bunch of beautiful autumn days, and today it’s a lovely spring day. Here are some things that inspired me.

I started typing but immediately realized I needed to brain dump, so I moved to the pouf to write. It had been 11 days since my last Morning Pages, and finally, here I am feeling clear, motivated, and excited again. More, maybe, than before. There were some good days mixed in there, but that was how long my latest dysregulation lasted.

I had never thought to record how long I feel frozen when it happens, because I’m frozen. Everything is a huge effort. I get to drawing, but the Inner Critic is berating my every mark. In about a half hour, I feel jittery and can’t stand still, which makes drawing all but impossible, so I stop in frustration and go play in space, where I’ve amassed fortunes and solve challenges on multiple planets, befriending dignitaries and aliens.

I read the last two entries, angry rants and speculations about things that have been annoying me. Such a desperate need to get the nervous system calmed down, to rest, and to have some fun. Which, I guess, I did. I received Outer Worlds 2 and Borderlands 4 within weeks of each other, and they’re both utterly captivating, with beautiful art, fun actions, and all the loot my little heart could desire. So at least I had something to keep my creative mind inspired while I was bouncing between amazed productivity and panicky retreats. I’m doing double-jumps and solving puzzles for villagers in my dreams. It could be worse.

This week, I have been trying different ways to be productive and rest enough. I’m currently doing a 30-minute focus, and up to 30-minute rest (playing Outer Worlds 2 usually), which gives me the motivation to quickly jump into the work, and then the ability to completely rest my body and do a little dopamine mining. This week, I have shortened my breaks often because the work is going so smoothly, and it’s so fun that I can’t wait to jump back in. But rest is a priority, or I’ll burn out. I’m always improving. I’m grateful for every little bit I have.

I’m having this drink probably 5 times a week, and it not only gives me some nice energy, but I don’t crave sweets as much. This isn’t a sweet drink, but you could make it so. I like it a little bitter. It’s a thick drink, and feels luxe.

Start with 1 bag of Numi Chocolate Pu·erh Tea. Brew it in a bigger mug for 5 minutes, then replace the tea bag with a half teaspoon of raw honey, a tablespoon of Ghirardelli Premium Baking Dutch Process 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, and a little oat milk. I recently learned that Dutch Process removes a lot of the good flavanols, though, so I’ll be looking for an affordable replacement. That particular brand has a low incidence of metals in its cocoa because it sources from Africa. In any case, even if I’m not getting maximum antioxidants from it, it’s delicious, and possibly even helpful.

https://numitea.com/products/chocolate-puerh

I hope your weekend is lovely and you get some time to feel the sun on your face.