When I started my design career in 2002, I thought success meant perfect pixels and flawless portfolios. Twenty years later—after surviving EA Sports' infamous crunch periods, navigating multiple layoffs, and eventually managing teams across government applications—I've learned that the most valuable lessons never appeared in any job description.

My journey began creating technical drawings for Wall Street signage, where every measurement had to be precise to 1/16th of an inch. That obsessive attention to detail became my foundation, but it was just the beginning. From there, I'd work 4 AM shifts creating TV graphics during major news events, spend years in video game studios working 65-hour weeks, and ultimately discover that the best work happens when teams say "we" instead of "that's not my job."

The layoffs taught me about corporate loyalty's limits. The difficult managers showed me what not to do. The exceptional teams revealed what truly matters: character over portfolios, collaboration over individual brilliance, and the understanding that great leaders serve their people, not the other way around.

Today, like many talented professionals, I'm between roles. But instead of viewing this as a setback, I'm seeing it as preparation for what's next—because every challenge in this 20-year journey has been a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and what it really takes to build something lasting in the creative industry.

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Intro

For as long as I can remember, I have always had gut issues. Foods would always affect me in a certain way, whether it was a physical sensation or a mental sensation. It wasn’t until recently that I started to realize that the gut-brain connection, often called the gut-brain axis, is the two-way communication between our brain (the central nervous system) and our digestive system (the enteric nervous system). It is not just about digestion—it’s a complex conversation involving nerves, hormones, and even the immune system (Seaward, 2020). When we are stressed, our body enters a state of fight-or-flight mode, releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones reroute energy and blood flow away from your digestive organs to your muscles and other critical areas to prepare for action. As a result, digestion slows down, nutrient absorption can suffer, and your gut might feel out of sync (Psychreg, 2024).

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Intro

Embark on a journey of mindful self-discovery with this intimate journal, "Awareness is the Antidote." For years, the author grappled with the relentless cycle of overthinking, a struggle deeply rooted in personal history and intertwined with anxiety. This journal offers a profound exploration of the path towards greater self-awareness, detailing the pivotal moment of recognizing the body's sensations as anchors in the present. It delves into the critical inner dialogue that often defaults to harsh judgment, highlighting the emotional and physiological toll of such automatic negativity.

Inspired by the vital concept of self-compassion – understanding it not as self-pity but as extending the same warmth to oneself as to a dear friend – the journal chronicles the challenging yet liberating process of confronting ingrained self-criticism. It emphasizes how our internal relationship shapes every external interaction, advocating for a conscious shift towards inner compassion as a catalyst for positive change. The author shares personal insights on pausing, softening the internal voice, and replacing judgment with intention and care.

Ultimately, "Awareness is the Antidote" is a testament to the power of acknowledging our internal patterns to gain choice and move towards healing. It echoes the timeless wisdom of resilience in the face of life's difficulties, encouraging readers to confront fears by recognizing their mental origins and stepping forward with courage and self-belief. This journal is an invitation to cultivate awareness, embrace self-compassion, and discover the strength within to overcome anxiety and live a more authentic and present life.

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Intro