Alright, let’s talk about today. It felt… significant. For a long time now, maybe months, maybe longer, feels like ages anyway, there’s been this thing sitting in the back of my mind. Or, well, sitting in the corner of the workshop, more accurately. The rock. Not just any rock, but that project. The one I started with all sorts of energy and then… just stopped. Life got in the way, you know how it is. Lost the mojo.
But today, I finally went back. Dragged myself out there. The workshop was dusty, tools were scattered exactly where I’d left them in a hurry last time. Felt a bit guilty looking at it all. First thing was just cleaning up. Had to clear the space, physically and mentally, I guess. Swept the floor, wiped down the bench, just got things organized. Took longer than I thought it would.
Getting Hands Dirty Again
Then came the moment of truth. Facing the actual piece of stone. It was bigger than I remembered. Or maybe I just felt smaller. Picked up the hammer and chisel. Felt weirdly heavy in my hand, unfamiliar almost. Had to remind myself how to hold it properly, find that grip again. Took a few tentative taps first. Just little clink, clink sounds. Felt awkward, clumsy.
Here’s kinda how the first hour went:
- Stared at the rock for a solid 10 minutes.
- Picked up tools. Put them down again.
- Tried remembering the plan I had. Where was I even going with this thing?
- Finally made the first proper strike. Chip went flying.
- Made another. And another. Slowly, hesitantly.
It wasn’t smooth. My arm started aching way sooner than it used to. The rhythm wasn’t there. It was frustrating, honestly. Kept hitting wrong, taking off too much here, not enough there. Almost packed it in right then. Thought, maybe this ship has sailed, you know?
Pushing Through the Wall
But I forced myself to stick with it. Just focus on one small section, I told myself. Forget the grand plan for now. Just work this one edge. And slowly, very slowly, something started to shift. The sounds began to feel right again. The thwack of the hammer, the crack of the stone splitting just so. My hand remembered things my brain hadn’t consciously recalled.
Spent a good few hours just chipping away. Didn’t make massive progress visually, not like those first exciting days way back when. But it felt… solid. Real. Like I was reconnecting with something important. Didn’t solve all the world’s problems, didn’t finish the piece, not even close. But I showed up. I faced the rock again.
And yeah, the rock is still there. It’s still big, still challenging. But now, it feels possible again. Not easy, but possible. Covered it up before leaving the workshop tonight. Feels different now. Not like giving up, but like pausing, ready for the next session. The return has begun. Feels good. Tired, but good.
