Quick summary of this first part - Out for a while, but back in.
In April 2016, I was “burnt out”, but it was more than that; larger life questions were in play. I know…. this is deep for a reef hobby forum. Getting out after 9yrs was not a small decision. Still a nagging feeling persisted – this is all temporary. I didn’t feel enjoyment anymore from having a reef, and that feeling of “it all being temporary” weighed on me. So I expressed wanting to get out to a local reef business friend, we worked out a price for all the life in the box - and wham. In one day, I was out.
In the 2.5 years since being out of the hobby, life continued and a series of events lead me full circle to realize – yes, reefing is temporary. But so is life. You don’t not buy a dog, knowing it’s life is short and will pass in 10-15 years. It’s ok to enjoy the ‘now’ and life for today. Life is not bleak. It’s full of color, movement, and today, well – is today. Reefing keeps you in the moment, to appreciate the small things.
I reflected on what I missed and what I loathed about the hobby. With that, a plan was crafted to focus on the fish, color, and end-state of the reef. Conversely I wanted to get to a point where reefing did not take so much of my free time. I’m looking at it as if it’s a maintenance account, scheduling out what needs to be done, to have continued success.
So with that – this is my build thread to document my journey to get back in, and onward to the end state: creating a reef that stands out (from my perspective) and not be cluttered when it’s all grown up. Design for strong colors, contrasting shapes, an eye-catching reef that is automated, simple, and redundant.
In April 2016, I was “burnt out”, but it was more than that; larger life questions were in play. I know…. this is deep for a reef hobby forum. Getting out after 9yrs was not a small decision. Still a nagging feeling persisted – this is all temporary. I didn’t feel enjoyment anymore from having a reef, and that feeling of “it all being temporary” weighed on me. So I expressed wanting to get out to a local reef business friend, we worked out a price for all the life in the box - and wham. In one day, I was out.
In the 2.5 years since being out of the hobby, life continued and a series of events lead me full circle to realize – yes, reefing is temporary. But so is life. You don’t not buy a dog, knowing it’s life is short and will pass in 10-15 years. It’s ok to enjoy the ‘now’ and life for today. Life is not bleak. It’s full of color, movement, and today, well – is today. Reefing keeps you in the moment, to appreciate the small things.
I reflected on what I missed and what I loathed about the hobby. With that, a plan was crafted to focus on the fish, color, and end-state of the reef. Conversely I wanted to get to a point where reefing did not take so much of my free time. I’m looking at it as if it’s a maintenance account, scheduling out what needs to be done, to have continued success.
So with that – this is my build thread to document my journey to get back in, and onward to the end state: creating a reef that stands out (from my perspective) and not be cluttered when it’s all grown up. Design for strong colors, contrasting shapes, an eye-catching reef that is automated, simple, and redundant.