The Secret Garden #157 + #158 "Princess Of Mine (Ep 8)” + Author Chat (Patreon)

Hello beauties <3 It's been awhile, but I wanted to share some thoughts I've been having.

Over the last few years, as a content creator, I'd gotten sucked into the capitalistic rat race without realising; an irony, considering how I'd quit my corporate job to escape from it. It complicates things further when 'passion' becomes 'work', and you're now a 'public figure' when you don't even have a personal Instagram account. And even though my rational mind wasn't fully aware (yet), my body was already sending out distress signals in the form of increasingly severe panic attacks every week - and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Now... I don't regret any of it. Don't get me wrong. If given a second chance, I'd repeat the same course of action in a heartbeat. And I'd encourage anyone to do the same and hustle HARD at least once in your life - especially if a golden opportunity lands in your lap, like it did for me. I'm eternally grateful for everything I've received, and still consider myself incredibly fortunate, honoured and privileged. But if you're an Average Joe (or Joan) like me, none of this is likely to be sustainable for long. Key word here is sustainable.

During last year's 'Season 1 end' hiatus in Jan '21, I took a 2 week break before plunging right back into work. That's 5 months of hardcore grinding even before the MPL Season 2 launch. This time round, my SINGLE priority is to enjoy the process of comic creation regardless of popularity, public approval, and financial gains and losses...and at the risk of fading back into complete obscurity again, lol. Basically, I don't want to be "a professional" or a "performer" - just a regular person doing my own thing like everyone else. (Disclaimer: I know it all sounds super lofty and maybe I'll eat my words a few months from now, so don't quote me on this y'all lmao✌🏻✌🏻).

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chat and the episode, and please let me know your thoughts! <3