The return of the optimist
Back in 2018, I created an angular “happy fish” logo for a podcast I was going to start. I never started the podcast, but the little fish became my logo for my blog. A few months before COVID lockdowns hit, I redrew the fish, but added a bunch of expressions. And when the world ground to a halt in March of 2020, I changed my logo to the “anxious” version. Ever since then, I’ve switched out the logo periodically, based on how I was feeling. Mostly, I’ve used the “meh” and “skeptical” versions. It’s been a weird few years, with kids starting college and a career change. And that’s on top of global political chaos. For summer, I always switch the logo to the “vacation” version with sunglasses, and so each fall when summer ends, I have to pick the one that matches my mood.
This year, I surprised myself I chose the “optimist.” Don’t get me wrong, the world is still chaotic and disappointing in many ways. I could have chosen the “anxious” logo, or honestly, one of several “angry” logos. But in my personal life, the kids are settling into their new realities and my new job is going well. I’m making progress on my dissertation and I can see the end of my graduate studies. I see at least some signs of progress that make me believe that we’ll get through the global chaos and political bullshit. So I’m choosing to be optimistic about the semester. We’ll see how long I stick with this version.
Bob Wertz is a type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008 and contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t own an aquarium.