#stretch quest

[thesoledesigner-blog]

Curiosity Conversation

First Rating ⅗

Final rating ⅗

Discussing the potential uses of programming in the field of user experience with an in industry user experience freelancer was a curiosity conversation that did have an unsurprising level of discomfort associated with it. This is because this and many other user experience professionals do not have any programming background and thus I perceived the conversation as a bit awkward. It was however very enlightening as they eventually admitted that being able to program is a massive boon to anyone working in any level of digitally driven user experience. This strengthened my position on the ability to code and program, a skill I have been honing for a number of years now, and that it would serve me well once I begin working.

[thesoledesigner-blog]

Creative

Initial 3/5

Final Rating ⅘

Learning to play the guitar is not something I am even remotely close to doing yet, but I started on that path this year with my roommate who is already a fairly capable musician. This was a lesson in pushing past embarrassment do do what I want anyways. I am not musically talented in any way and in all truth sound like a dying cat when I am singing but I still gave it a go and have managed to keep a decent practice schedule. Pushing past what you think you can do, or what you perceive as embarrassing is an exceptionally handy skill in any job.

[thesoledesigner-blog]

Mental Stretch Quest

Initial rating 3/5

Final Rating ⅗

Shadowing a UX professional during their normal work hours. A boss of mine from last summer opened her own business and I was curious about how she went about running that business on a day to day basis. As such I called her and asked if I could join her for a few hours just to see what she was up too. This was uncomfortable for me as I was not actively doing any work but rather just sitting quietly and watching, trying to absorb as much information as I could and all within her home. I had the opportunity to watch her interact with a client and go through the process in which she slowly and carefully pulled what the client wanted out of their head through carefully constructed questions.

[gdillaslunchroom-blog]

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 10 [MENTAL]

For my fifth stretch quest, I decided to buy a plant from a plant store. The store, called plant, sold various succulents, ceramics, ornaments, and soils. I decided to purchase an aloe plant because of its benefits and the amount of attention that it needed.

I chose to purchase a plant for my stretch quest because I wanted to get into the habit of practicing routine. I often am inconsistent with my laundry schedule, maintaining my nails, wiping down my desk, and making my bed. Taking care of a plant would require dedication--considering the plant’s life depends on my care. This task will remind me to complete other daily tasks and perfect the art of routine.

1st rating: 4/5 2nd rating: 4/5

[gdillaslunchroom-blog]

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 6 [CURIOSITY CONVERSATION]

For my third stretch quest, I decided to talk to my dad for the first time in five years. 

My parents divorced ten years ago and I stayed with my mom. After the divorce, my dad held the responsibility of spending time with me every Sunday. A month into this routine, he had stopped showing up at our house to pick me up. It had turned into meeting him once a year to not meeting him at all. Because of this, I resented my dad for not thinking about me. I had held this grudge until this day.

When I met to talk with my dad, it was unfamiliar. He was unable to respond to my words and only smiled and the things I said. When I embraced him, he hugged back just as tight, but there were still no words exchanged. It overwhelmed me. I felt like crying after the exchange even though he had not said anything, and yet I also felt a weight lifted from my shoulder. 

Even after meeting my dad for the first time in a while, I still am confused if I don’t know how I feel or if I’m just neglecting the reality of my emotions.

1st rating: 5/5 2nd rating: 5/5

[gdillaslunchroom-blog]

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 4 [PROFESSIONAL]

For my second stretch quest, I decided to act on a goal that I have wished for a long time; a website. What had inhibited me from creating the website, before, was the fear of uploading failed content and my insecurity of not being creative enough for design. 

The process contained many steps. I learned how to purchase my domain (www prefix is broken), researched information about commercial fonts, created social media accounts, and edited my page design. 

The quest has taught me that I could pursue my dreams if I just played my cards. The idea of building a website always lingered in my mind but I have never initiated it until now. I imagined that it would be a frightening thing, because it was taking a leap from designing as a hobby to putting myself out there for public viewing. 

I’m not entirely happy with the concept work I have created for my brand and will continue to work at it until I am pleased.

1st rating: 5/5 2nd rating: 5/5

[gdillaslunchroom-blog]

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 2 [MENTAL]

For my first stretch quest, I decided to conquer my fear of the water and go swimming. As a child of a Vietnamese refugee, my mom would repeat how dangerous the water was and my fear of drowning comes from the many times I have done so. 

My boyfriend and I went to the Southland leisure center and he took it upon himself to teach me how to swim. The exercise that he had me practice was to curl in a ball, hold my breath for as long as I could, and roll under the water. While I was under, I felt calm with the sound of the water surrounding me and realized that all I had to do was be a part of the water and enjoy how light my body was in it. I realized that I wasn’t truly afraid of the water. My anxiety was afraid of the water. Once I was comfortable, I was able to swim a farther distance where my legs didn’t touch the floor and a burning sensation of relaxation and relief took over.

This stretch quest made me realize that my fears have been preventing me in succeeding. I acknowledge that I have the tendency to overthink when I’m faced with challenges and my mind tells me that I’m not able to do it. My experience with swimming made me realize that what I believed was not true. I’m looking forward to see what other challenges I am able to conquer.

1st rating: 3/5 2nd rating: 1/5