Fifteen
Just like that: I’ve now been in business for 15 years. Every year I think it might be the last.
Most weeks end with the feeling that some stone somewhere was left unturned. The rare days when it seems like good work was done, I think maybe there wasn’t enough of it. For me, searching for spots to improve involves constantly finding faults: “What can I change to move this one small step away from The Worst Thing Ever™?” That’s most days.
Except today.
Around this time of the year, I review the progress made and check what’s next: The site we made for Anthony Bourdain won a Webby design award this month, I’m photographing dancers in Japan for Roads & Kingdoms this week, there’s cool new projects being planned right now, and I’m somehow doing this while stumbling through Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
Around this time of the year, I thank my dumb 17-year-old self for starting to freelance, ignorant of the challenges ahead.
The rest of the year, I’d like to thank my dumb 17-year-old self for the stress, by tossing him into a garbage can. But today is a good day.
To everyone reading this: I wish you great accomplishments and the time to appreciate them.
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