SABBATICAL

In October 2008, grayspoon began to fulfill a need in the world of startups and non-profits to offer agency quality design services on a startup/non-profit budget. During the past seven years, I have had a fantastic experience working with over 50 brands. However, it is time to take a sabbatical, and here are my reasons:

  1. To be more creative. On a visit to the Design Exchange in Toronto, I saw an exhibit called The Happy Show by Stefan Sagmeister in 2013, a big portion of the exhibit was Sagmeister sharing his experience with taking a sabbatical from his successful agency. A sabbatical helped him to be more creative by stepping back and evaluating his successes. He noted that taking a sabbatical is at a 12 importance on a scale of 1 to 10 and some of his best work happens when he returns from a sabbatical year
     
  2. It is biblical. On the seventh day, God rested. Living in Toronto, it is easy to fall into the 'busy' trap. I find myself often in the mindset of saying yes, at the risk of losing my downtime. Even athletes need a rest day, the body needs time to recover in order to improve. 
     
  3. For fun. As a creative person working in a creative field. It is a challenge to find time to pursue personal creative projects. I have a long list of projects that I've had in my "will do" list. This is the year that I will tackle this list, and I am expecting it is going to be a fun time!
     
  4. For mom. My mom was one of the most talented crafters I know. When she first immigrated to Canada in the 60s as a teenager, she took a course in dress-making. 40 years ago, she purchased a Singer sewing machine for $120 and afforded it by paying $10 per month for one year. She sewed clothes, blankets for my sisters and I, she hemmed our pants, designed and made my prom dress. 5 years ago, my mom purchased the same Singer sewing machine model for me for $120, but she gifted it to me, "no need to pay be $10 per month). My mom passed away a few months ago, I would like to follow in her footsteps and flex my creative maker muscles. See the sewing machine here.