Post-Project Restlessness ... I'z Gettin' It

[the_gneech]

By this time next week, if all goes to plan, SJ will be done.

I already don't know what to do with myself. 0.o

I mean, I've got projects that want finishing, and there's all that "playing LotRO" and other recreational-type stuff I've been lamenting about my lack of doing. And NeverNever seriously needs some attention. But none of those really have me fired up; they'll keep me busy for a while, but they're basically filler.

SJ has until now given my life a vector to follow, albeit one that has occasionally had some significant costs in other facets. (I know, that's a really awkward sentence, but I couldn't come up with a better way to express the idea.) Everything has been measured by its impact on the strip: "That might be a great source of ideas for SJ!" "I can't stay, I gotta go home and draw." "We need a house with a big enough room for the drawing table."

Now, or at least, once I finish these last two pages, that framework won't be there. For the first time in ten years, "work on SJ" won't be my default activity for the evening. In fact, at least for now, I won't have a default activity for the evening, and I'm already feeling the associated twitchiness.

I wonder if this is what it's like for the newly-retired?

I know it won't stay like this; it's just not in my nature to drift for any length of time. At some point, one of the various projects that I've been wanting to do will grab ahold of my brain the way SJ did and I'll become just as single-minded about it; but until that happens, I'm going to be un-moored and generally floating around like a ghost in my own life. I am what I do ... so who am I when I'm not doing anything?

-The Gneech

Comments

[hossblacksilver.livejournal.com]

Do, or do not. There is no try.
-Yoda

[noa-e.livejournal.com]

Dang....to think the clock is finally about to strike 12.

As long and tedious as it was, it still was a fun ride and there will always be the memories. That's what matters. That and all the people you've met and friends you've made because of SJ. <=)

[aj-hyena.livejournal.com]

I for one want to know the backstory of Ramses, the story with him and Byron, and the like. That would have made for a nice storyline. Maybe run more "Q&A with the Cast" things for a while, before maybe doing a new strip? Something to keep the drawing juices going. (And of course, being a gamer geek, I would suggest your D&D games given comic form, as even one encounter might stretch out over a few weeks of time, perhaps...)

[laurie-robey.livejournal.com]

I went through that kind of thing earlier this year when I was trying to break my habit of working so much at home on job stuff, so I know what you mean. You have to remind yourself what you like to do and get back in the habit of doing it again.

[genecatlow.livejournal.com]

"So who am I when I'm not doing anything?"

Are you sure this isn't a lead-in to a Brigid and Greg story?

[confusedoo.livejournal.com]

That's some great timing, since you'll be able to take a bit of a break when I'm visiting without feeling guilty about neglecting stuff. :) And I'm sure you'll find something new to dive into, even if it takes a bit of time before something really clicks like SJ.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

I wish I had some advice. The thing is, twice a year I go from heavy overtime back to normal, and EACH time I'm like "wait...what did I use to do on weeknights again?" So I'm probably not much help there XD