As the world came to a grinding halt with the onset of lockdown measures, many of us found ourselves in fearful uncertain times. However, amidst the chaos, I managed to transform my career and save my life. In this article, I share my journey from disillusionment to empowerment, illustrating how the lockdown provided the catalyst for positive change.
Before the pandemic, I was stuck in a job that didn’t bring me a sense of fulfilment. Each day I liked it a little less and my ambition to rise through the ranks dwindled. Despite my dissatisfaction, I stayed in the job because I needed the money and I told myself it was the right thing to do. My health at the time was terrible. I had numerous coughs and colds but also infections and other medical conditions not suitable for a lunchtime read. I suffered from severe anxiety and depression.
When lockdown was implemented, I was at my lowest both in job satisfaction and personal life. It was a time I wouldn’t wish on anybody. While the world suffered in a communal grief, I was fortunate my job continued remotely. After a lot of soul-searching I decided to invest in myself again. The first time since university.
With ample time and financial savings from reduced expenses, I purchased a decent PC and embarked on a journey to learn coding and game development. This daily ritual soon blossomed into a passion project, reigniting my spark of creativity I thought died after university.
As I was learning these new skills, I started to feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment that had eluded me for years. After I wrote some code that actually did what it was supposed to, the sense of achievement was palpable. I’d leap off my cheap hardback kitchen chair and punch the sky. It’s a feeling that lessens with time but I still manage the odd power fist most days.
My opportunity into the games industry came from a Podcast. I do a little indie games podcast called The Polygon Forest Podcast with my friend and co-worker Vin Hill. It’s a great way to talk about our projects and it’s a good excuse to hang out with my friend who lives in America. His then CEO listened to the podcast and found out about my game Focus Find. And the rest as they say is history.
My journey shows that even in the darkest times, there exists the potential for growth, transformation and opportunity. By prioritising self-improvement and embracing change, we can weather any storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
As we navigate the uncertain times again in the games industry, let us remember that adversity often breeds opportunity. By harnessing our resilience and focusing on personal development, we possess the ability to shape our destinies and achieve success in any challenge we pursue. So, embrace change, because you never know what’s on the other side. 💪💼🎮
Speaking of change, I’m now looking for new opportunities in the video game industry. A short gig or investment opportunities for my latest game NovaJet. NovaJet is an action roguelike spaceship game. Checkout my Patreon for the latest updates before other platforms. https://www.patreon.com/AcrylicPixelGames
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