Smell the roses

LETTERS FROM LIMBO [004]

Good evening, I hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve received very lovely feedback after last month’s letter, and I wanted to thank you all for being here.

March 2023 is one of my busiest months ever. I’ve had a good amount of client work, and while I am very grateful for it I am also excited for slower days ahead. I don’t create much for myself in these periods and it feels like an itch that I can’t scratch. I’m either busy with other people’s things, or resting from being busy with other people’s things. Something feels off.

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ON STRIKE

There is currently a big strike movement in France: the government is increasing our retiring age despite many protests and despite more sustainable solutions being available.

Striking is something hard to consider as a freelancer. It would hurt me more than it would impact our system: my clients would just hire someone else to do the job, and life goes on.

I decided to block my typeface sales for now, as I believe this small amount of friction would be more effective to spread awareness around the world, while I keep on working as usual. Sorry for the inconvenience, we’ll see how that goes.

If you wish, you can help the French strikers through this link.

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CURRENTLY READING: CAPS LOCK

HOW CAPITALISM TOOK HOLD OF GRAPHIC DESIGN, AND HOW TO ESCAPE FROM IT

I’m in the middle of this little brick by Ruben Pater right now, and it’s been such a good read so far. It’s very eye-opening about how our need for graphic representation is born from the evolution of our ancient trade/debt practice, towards our industrial system where everything needs to be measured, tracked, and analyzed for better profit.

It goes through so many aspects of our job as designers, beyond branding and advertising, and it makes me question my own relation to work. For a long time I’ve thought that the only way to be successful was to dedicate long hours to working hard and I have been forcing that on myself, even if it’s not what I want my life to look like. Juggling between several client projects, saying yes to everything, squeezing more work in the evenings and weekends.

There is nothing sustainable about this and it is time we stop glorifying hard work. There is no glory in being constantly on the edge of burn-out.

It’s going to take some time adjusting everything but I hope that in the upcoming months, I will have taken some steps towards a more balanced (and slow) lifestyle.

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6 OF WANDS

I’m getting back into reading Tarot as a form of meditation. I don’t believe so much in telling the future, but I think it’s a practice that can help gain new perspectives on many subjects. This reading was for myself, but after this heavy letter I would like to pass it on to you:

Today the 6 of Wands jumped out of the deck as I was shuffling. When something like this happens, I take it as a sign that this is where I need to bring my attention, so I build my session from there. This card is a sign of triumph and good news, wishes fulfilled.

Then I drew the Moon, a representation of what is hidden, unseen. Unconscious. It was upside down, which means seeing what we would usually overlook.

Third card is Temperance, which is about patience and harmony.

I like this reading because I feel it suggests us to slow down and take the time to appreciate the small things around us. It is something that we often forget but deeply need in order to stay sane in this fast-paced, ugly world. I hope you think of my words the next time you feel the sun on your face or hear your favorite song. You win at life when you are able to collect little moments of joy.

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Wrapping this up, thank you for hanging out with me.

Take a deep breath
& see you next time,
Morganne