I couldn't find a perfect gif for this article but…. let's be real, that's an excellent cutie to see.
This is a really simple article and it kind of relates to my series about how to handle stepping back from your comic, but instead it’s about how to work WITH your comic and not against it. Sort of? I just want to know, what are some healthy habits you exercise when it comes to your comic work? Are there any healthy habits you’re trying to practice and adapt into your every day life? Also, this doesn’t just have to stick to comics, it can really be anything. I want this discussion to be open to everyone where we can either receive tips or give tips and just help each other out!
To be honest, my life is a bit messy right now, so I can’t offer much insight, but relating to my comic: I’ve been trying to do it where I work on my comic a few hours per day but I separate that into sections into the day, so let’s say I want to work a total of 6 to 9 hours per day on my comic, I try to separate that by working 2-3 hours here and there and having at least 1 hour to myself for rest.
I think it helps me stay on my toes and refreshed. I know I’m naturally slow with making comics, especially recently, but I believe that have a set schedule where I can still take breaks is one of the best things for me personally.
Obviously everyone’s schedule is vastly different from others, so of course, what works for one person may not work for you but that doesn’t mean you can’t attempt to modify it to fit your needs.
Like I said, I like to spend a total of six to nine hours per day, it really depends on how I’m feeling with the current comic and what my day is like overall, but just because I use six to nine, doesn’t mean you can’t do something like two to four.
I also try to remember to stretch my hand and massage my wrist, which is actually another reason why I like to separate my comic-working hours into segments so in between my wrist can rest peacefully.
Another thing I like to do is take a day off to myself from any work. It’s important to still make sure you can have fun with other things, I used to not think this way but it helps me realize that I don’t have to rely on just my art and comic work, I have other things I can enjoy and knowing that makes me enjoy my comic work just 10x more.
Also, another thing I think is important to realize is that it’s ok if you don’t meet your daily goals, if you had the objective to complete a page but you didn’t, it’s important to take note that it’s ok and you still have tomorrow. You don’t have to treat your comic like it’s a chore or a job, it’s important to recognize that this is your labor of love, something you should be able to work on when you feel like it, not an actual work that needs a deadline. Of course, this could depend on if you actually make your primary income off of your comic, your world is now shaped a little differently, but taking care of yourself first is the most important thing.
But what do you like to do? How do you relax? What is your work routine revolving around your comic (or anything, really!) like?
What advice would you give to someone looking to adapt a healthier work style?
Healthy Habits
damehelsing at 12:00AM, Sept. 26, 2021
5 likes!
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PaulEberhardt at 10:14AM, Sept. 29, 2021
Did you notice that nothing fun is ever healthy-slash-safe? ;)
Andreas_Helixfinger at 4:19AM, Sept. 27, 2021
Oh! And by lowering expectations I do not mean that one should become careless or less passionate about their creative works or whatever else they have in their lifes. But I feel like it helps to moderate things so that they become less intense, less rigorous and less extreme. Something to enjoy however you do it and however it turns up and never feel like you're shackled to a precise standard. Just to clear things up in case my last comments on this seemed confusing^^
MOrgan at 2:26AM, Sept. 26, 2021
Have healthy habits or be eaten by a snow leopard. ;-)
skyangel at 1:06AM, Sept. 26, 2021
If you're doing it for profit then it is work and you will be tied to the thought that you have to keep going in order to pay the bills. I've always done my comic for fun and as a form of escape so it is nearly always my favourite way to relax. I've hit walls in the past by allowing myself to be caught up in the trap of feeling committed to turning out weekly pages just to keep the readers happy but when I remind myself I'm not committed to anyone and take as much time away from it as I like I've always found the desire to continue has come back after about a week and that's kept me going for 14 years now. I don't know how others feel but I sense a lot of depression and tiredness around me connected to the virus, probably because there's pressure in the real world to get back to a normal that's not really as normal yet as we want it to be. Making comics is a great escape from that and certainly lifts ones spirits, especially if it's a world where you really want to be.
Andreas_Helixfinger at 12:50AM, Sept. 26, 2021
All in all I think it is a healthy attitude to adapt to. To train oneself to not expect too much out of what you do and what comes to you. Because then, if it doesn't turn out all that great it's no big deal because you expected that to happen, and if it does turn out great, then you get a pleasant surprise. I think that is part of the problem, why so many things tends to disappoint people these days, is because they have too high expectations on things. Cause' I do think it correlates to many things, art, entertainment, ambitions, relationships etc. It is something that I feel is helping me anyway, it may not be for everyone. But that's the advice I have to offer anyway.
Andreas_Helixfinger at 12:49AM, Sept. 26, 2021
These days I'd say I try to keep my expactions low when it comes to comics, both how much work I put in and how they turn out in the end. I feel like that helps ME relax. It is funny really. Back when I was just writing all the stuff you see in my comics, and the imagery for it only existed in my head, I had these HUGE expectations. Every story was going to be a masterpiece and they were going to influence people who read them in a BIG way. After I began to manifest these stories as comics, and the imagery was no longer just in my head anymore, my expectations began to lower. I'm simply not willing to put enough time and enough refined thought into this stuff to make it THAT great. I put around 2-4 hours a day, drawing and finnishing one page per week, trying to put it out as soon as possible, which results in my artwork not looking as good as it could have, but I'm fine with that because it doesn't have to be that great anymore.