What I'm up to lately
Finished my portfolio
Like most designers, I kept postponing the creation of my portfolio, seeing it as a purely transactional task, something needed only for job hunting.
Turned out, the process itself had value:
- I took a clear-eyed look at my past experience and projects with the perspective of time.
- I analyzed my strengths and clarified what I truly want to focus on in the future.
- I honed my visual skills and storytelling while crafting case studies.
- I captured my achievements in a tangible form — something to revisit during moments of doubt.
It took me a long time, but I’m happy with the result. Now, instead of overexplaining what I do, I can just share a link.
Looking for a job in an international company
I’m actively exploring opportunities and starting to apply for roles that interest me. I’ve set myself a three-month deadline — let’s see how long it actually takes.
I want to work on useful tools that leverage AI technologies. Putting my intentions out into the universe: mindfulness, physical and mental health, productivity tools, journaling.
Starting to build my product out of holistic journaling idea
Right now, it’s just an idea — an app integrating all the mindfulness practices and tools I use into one cohesive system around journaling experience. This system includes a 10-year life vision, life calendar, annual goals, tasks, habits, key metrics, emotion tracking, and a daily journaling practice.
I’m starting to conduct in-depth interviews to understand people’s needs using AJTBD methodology, by Ivan Zamesin. If you use any of these practices and are open to share your experience, please drop me a message on Telegram, or email — and we can set up a one-hour interview.
Learning to understand myself and others better
For the second year now, I’ve been attending a men’s therapy group, working through the dynamics of healthy communication in a male collective. This is the experience I didn’t get enough of growing up.
At the same time, I’ve started personal therapy with a new therapist in an integrative approach. Every session, he annoys me immensely with his style — interrupting me every minute, telling me I’m wrong, and insisting that I’ve built systems and routines to escape real life and feelings.
I’m learning to recognize what exactly in me gets triggered by his behavior. Step by step, I’m becoming more aware of my mechanistic approach — how it helps me and where it holds me back. I’m exploring a healthier way to push myself toward achievements without breaking down in the process.
Learning to play shakuhachi
My friends gave me a Japanese shakuhachi flute for my last birthday. I specifically asked for it because it brings together many of my interests — breathwork, meditation, monks of emptiness, and Japan.
I’ve never played a musical instrument before and, for a long time, didn’t consider myself musical at all. Now, I practice a few hours a week, learning the basics. The process puts me in a light meditative state, and I find it deeply relaxing. It’s fascinating to see how a simple act of breathing can create a melody, different every time.
Still navigating the dating world
I’m still frustrated by the experience of dating apps, but I continue to use them. I’ve changed my approach, though. I now only ask out women with whom I can genuinely imagine building a family.
At the same time, I’m working through my high expectations, letting go of anxiety, and learning to open up. I’m putting out into the world the energy I want to attract. It might sound a bit woo-woo, but I’m confident that in relationships, a purely rational approach doesn’t always work best.
I’m also learning to simply start conversations or even just say hello to people (especially women) without any specific goal in mind. Teaching myself that it’s okay and not scary at all.