Something I have been enjoying so much lately is working on personal projects. Not projects that will make me money. Not projects that will ever see the light of day. Just personal projects for me. Projects that bring me joy, that make life easier, or just something fun to work on.

I have been working on a cute little desktop companion called Sprout lately. He just simply lives at the bottom of my screen, and brings me joy! I have made it so that the seasons and weather change with my local time/area. I have given him a house, beautiful scenery, and recently some books and drinks for him to enjoy. I love making him things!

It's been an amazing way to improve my pixel art, and understanding of Game Development. I work mainly as a Game Artist, but it's nice to improve my developer side as well! Code is a lot more difficult for me then art, but it can be a really nice challenge to get my brain going.

I have so many fun plans for this little guy. The whole point, or thing I enjoy most is just slowly building up his little world. I want to make him clothes, maybe give him a little farm he can plant. The fun thing is I don't 'play him'. I can pick him up and move him around for fun, sure. But the great part is, he just does what he wants. He goes about his day, and I go about mine. Just a nice little companion while I work at my computer.

Work and personal life has been kind of stressful as of late, so this personal project that is all mine, and I don't plan on releasing or sharing. Just mine. It has brough me immense stress relief and joy. I'm able to create without pressure or criticism, deadlines or a boss breathing down my neck. I can just... create.. and that in itself is something so powerful.

So, if you take anything from this post. Create something! Not for anyone else, just for you!