Appreciate the cringe

‍“If you don’t cringe at your past, you’re not growing.” – Tom Scott

Kiwi rapper Tom Scott quotes his friend in his documentary ’Run It Back’, and I can totally relate. When I look back at my past work as a designer – whether it’s projects I did at design school decades ago, or even work from more recent times – I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and embarrassment, often seeing what I could have done differently or better.

But instead of giving in to the urge to throw out or hit the delete button on old work, I choose to keep it as a reminder of how much I’ve grown. My cringeworthy work is part of my journey and a good reminder of the progress I’ve made along the way.

So next time you feel the urge to trash old work – or get rid of something that makes you cringe, appreciate it! Let it become a reminder of how far you’ve come.

How to build a custom electric standing desk

I’ve deviated a little from my usual articles and written a guide on how I made myself a custom electric standing desk. I needed one because I was having back and neck problems, but I couldn’t find one with a desktop that would fit the one metre nook in my living room.

I thought I’d document my process and share it with you, in case if you find yourself in a similar situation! The project involves some sanding, staining, and assembly – but I had fun along the way and I'm stoked with the result!

Learn how to build a custom standing desk