Not much new on the horizon

a view
Photo: Mia

Recently, I haven’t learned new things. Only repeat old skills and lessons. So not much new on the horizon. Oh, except that there is no Pullquote block on WordPress anymore, so the quote gives me nightmares. The font is too big, and you can’t change the size. It just looks terrible on the post.

Now, when I think about what I’ve learned recently. I’ve learned that no matter what I do, I can’t seem to find graphic design clients. My savings are soon gone, and no money is coming in (except welfare). If I sold my flat, I could get money. But I can’t afford to hire a cleaner or moving people. Being unemployed blows. I only get bills, bills, bills.

Another thing I’ve learned, but it isn’t recent. It doesn’t matter what I post on Facebook, not even my relatives, no one reacts. But I post anyway just for myself. It’s nice to look back at the memories. People’s lives are so busy that they have no time to care about what I do. If I weren’t used to being alone, I would probably be depressed and distressed. Luckily, that’s only Facebook, and who takes that seriously?

There are always new things to learn. For example, you’re never ready to be creative because you can always get better and realise something you haven’t before. I’ve used Canva for 10 years, but I’m still learning. It gets updates, and new things come up. Then you learn the latest tools. The same goes for any app you use.

Learning new things is fun, and it makes life worth living. Especially if it’s something you love doing. It’s good for the brain to stay active.

A change performing on stage

A decorative masquerade mask with a pink flower adornment, placed on a dark wooden surface.
Photo by Ibolya Toldi on Pexels.com

“Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?” – Daily Writing Prompt

I performed on stage when I was a kid. In school plays. I would never give a speech, no way. I hate public speaking. When I was on stage, I preferred to have no speaking parts. I don’t like people looking at me, waiting for me to make a mistake. I don’t want that much attention. I got that enough from home. I even hate doing presentations in front of a lot of people. If it were with one or two people, it would be different. I leave the performances to those who like doing them. School plays were enough. That’s a change I’m going to keep.

Money goes out but nothing comes in

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

What bothers you and why?

Daily Writing Prompt

Bills, bills, bills, that’s all I get. Money goes out, but nothing comes in. That’s what bothers me at the moment. I thought not having enough money would only be a momentary problem. I can’t live on my savings forever. I thought some passive income from digital products would be a good idea. But no one wants to buy. I have one that someone else created, and the newest is a motivational postcard that I made myself. They are in Finnish, so maybe that’s the reason why people won’t buy. Or perhaps they’re not good enough that people want to print them or use them in some other way. It reminds me of the graphic design teacher who said a poster I did was one she wouldn’t put up on her wall. That makes me doubt that I’m not good enough to be a graphic designer. That it’s all in my head.

Selling digital products isn’t easy because there are so many. But some people make it look so easy. It is easy if you use AI for photos and videos. But they look so fake. I follow faceless marketing accounts on Instagram, and it’s becoming a little annoying that they rely heavily on AI as if it’s the only way to sell their products. It bothers me that people keep selling digital products, where they sell courses on how to sell digital products. So now everybody can make them without graphic design skills? AI should be a tool and not something you use to sell products. It can help you with writing, but you should still use your head. I’ve used both Gemini and ChatGPT to check spelling and grammar in my fan fiction. I also use them to find ideas and gather information. And also for chatting, because no one else gives me insight on things. AI should help and not do everything for you.

It would be nice to have some money to go on a cruise (it’s too hot on land), but I have to save money for the hotel I’m staying at in August when I see Bryan Adams in concert. However, I receive no income, and that bothers me the most. Money goes out, but nothing comes in. The only valuable thing I have to sell is my flat, but I need more money now. Hopefully, this will only be a momentary problem and not a long-lasting battle.