I put my dissertation on hiatus. Yes, I have a complete draft but the doctorate no longer uplifts me. I love to learn, but the doctorate doesn’t feed that love. I'm de-registered so the decision doesn't affect my status, only my priorities. I may return to the doctorate after some maturation but then again, I may not.
I am starting my own business and learning from the ground up. I decided to create a challenge to work towards and to motivate as well as move into a better place mentally, The end goal professionally is to train myself in graphic design and editing so that I can work as a freelancer. Personally, I want to combine these skills with my passion for storytelling and create a graphic novel.
The Challenge
Starting 16 May 2016 (I like Mondays for beginnings), I will dedicate the next year of my life to training in graphic design and editing by using only free resources. This includes online videos, forums, websites, as well as the local library for print and e-text sources. The goal is to see what is available and take advantage of public resources in order to self-educate. I will make regular updates here to show what I learn and share what I find. The end date is 12 May 2017.
The Resources
My current list of resources, both online and offline:
Lynda.com (Note: This is a paid service but I received a free account.)
Youtube (A surprisingly fantastic resource for self-education if you're willing to search.)
Bibliotheque Nationale du Quebec (public library)
Westmount Public Library (Note: I pay for a membership already.)
DeviantArt (Not sure what I'll find here but it's worth a try.)
Facebook.com (To use friends and family for initial contacts and early graphic design projects)
Advantages
A huge part of this experiment is possible due to the emotional and financial support from my significant other and life partner. I am able to dedicate myself full-time to this endeavor without worrying about the roof over my head and nourishment. Having a supportive and loving partner is an enormous advantage that is difficult to detail in just a few words.
I have bachelor's and master's degrees, and am ABD (all but dissertation) with my doctorate. Whatever frustration I may feel towards my Ph.D. candidacy, I am skilled in research and self-education. I know how to budget my time, how to work without supervision, and how to motivate myself.
I have experience writing academic non-fiction and I have a background in art (art history, illustration, art theory). Further, my bachelor's required several semesters of business classes. have some education with business even if I have never applied these skills.
I am physically healthy and do not suffer from any chronic (physical) conditions. English is my native language, I live in a wealthy country with decent public health care, and have no disadvantages brought about through my appearance.
Disadvantages
I have never run a business.
I have no formal training or education in graphic design or editing.
I will only use free resources and deal with independent learning.
Part of what lead me here is my own struggle with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Clinical Depression, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I’m Adrian Monk but decidedly less useful. I've been in and out of therapy, been through the gauntlet of treatment plans (including pharmaceuticals), received medical extensions for my education, and dealt with the fatigue and defeat all the above brings. It took a toll on my social and professional life as well as my personal conception of self. Communication has been increasingly difficult over the years and it's a struggle learning to put myself out there, even in simple ways with those I consider friends. This is my starting point but also what I hope to be a journey towards wellness. I decided to re-frame this as the opening chapter for a learning adventure,.
Endgame
By documenting this challenge for the next year, I will show what is possible through Internet learning and public resources. I can see what progress I've made in a year and motivate myself through the use of this blog.
This is a treatment plan for my own problems. If it inspires you in some way, go for it! It is, however, not a blueprint on how I think others should behave. Everyone has their own journey and this is mine.