Just Some Thoughts

Bit of a different blog today.

I was staring at empty word documents pretending to have something to say, but I’d rather be a bit more honest in these blogs and not force philosophy when I don’t need to. So I wont. But, I promised I’d have three blogs in three days, so here I am.

You know, things are going pretty well all things considered. Despite all the doubt, sapoots is starting to take form. There are so many ideas floating around for what this could take shape in, but I’m really loving the direction it’s moving. Embracing the blog format and attaching it to the art just makes sense, and really leans into the “simple art, thoughtful art” mantra this project lives by. It also gives me some pretty cool ideas when I finally decide to make a product.

But, sapoots needs some funding, so I gotta find a job. Make some cash money and invest it back into the business. Buy some stickers, test out new products. Order some clothes. Save up for a clothing embroider, etc. So many things that I’m excited to test once I give sapoots some funding. It’s wild how quick expenses tally up when you begin research and development in a business, and because I have a knack for quality goods, I settle for nothing but the best.

Admittedly I could probably put more money towards the business if I was wiser. I’m still learning. Still making mistakes on my road to be better. Still buying the occasional late-night carne asada fries from some 24-hour Mexican spot. Still being young and dumb.

But I don’t want to sell anything anytime soon.

Eventually I will, but for now I just want to make cool shit for my friends.

I have plans to expand to different products, in specific, the Kit Format, in which I lift the creative guess work from people trying to make their hobbies more entertaining. Very early ideas for kits include:

• “A kit for gift giving…”

• postcards/thank you cards, wrapping paper, sapoots tags, a sapoots art print with gift ideas “the philosophy of gifting”.

• “A kit for artists…”

• “A kit for the avid reader…”

• sapoots bookmarks, coasters for tea/coffee, bookstand, etc.

• “A kit for the journaler…”

• sapoots branded journal, prompt cards, etc.

• “A kit for the smoker…”

• Ash tray with sprout, sapoots rolling tray, etc.

All this will come way down the line. No need to rush into it now.

But for now, I’ll wrestle with my relationship to finding jobs. For so long I’ve felt useless in the job market, and truthfully still do. I’d like to get a job, but the things I’m good at aren’t typically used to find a job. Thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, creative writing, art, to name a few. I’ve never been able to develop a high-value skill such as coding, web-design, or statistical analysis that would land me a solid job, and when I read application requirements for positions I’d like to get, I’m reminded how lackluster my skillset is for the job market.

With sapoots, I don’t feel useless. It feels like I can do this. A rare feeling for sprout and sapoots.

I remind myself that no good outcome arrives spontaneously. Some get a grand stroke of luck, but it’s better to assume that the outcomes you want to achieve in life won’t be brought about through spontaneity, but rather a consistent effort each day toward the life you want to live. That way you have a sense of autonomy about achieving success.

Consistency! What a concept!

Either way, I’m chuggin along.

Thanks to everybody reading this and following along, you’ve all instilled into me a confidence to keep pushing. I really appreciate it. There’s a lot of vulnerability in these blogs. Lots of night drives spent in silence, ruminating on life’s way of bringing you struggle. But when people say they enjoy these blogs. That people gain insight from these blogs. That people heal from these blogs. That’s makes me smile from a deep place in my heart. At the bare minimum, you’re watching me grow. It’s extra credit if you grow with me.

Inv.sion, an inspiration of mine, always says, “Creation is one thing, support is everything.”

I could not agree more. Thank you immensely.

Til next time,

sapoots

(┐「ε:)🤍🌱

My Garden, by me.