Side Projects are Important

The other week, I had an amazing epiphany.

Last  week, I was given an opportunity to use my creative talents.--- The visual arts.
To be more specific: making sprites for Visual Novels.

Then the conversation strangely flowed to programming renpy.

If i took renpy seriously 4 years ago, i could have added another skillset to my tool box.
which brings me to my next point.

Side Projects and Hobbies are important,

I am quoting Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist.

As a teenager, I spent my days tinkering with photoshop. roaming forums. lurking in deviantart and admiring artists. I scrutinized and assimilated some of their works. I spent majority of my working hours in front of a computer screen, holding a wacom graphire tab and teaching myself photoshop.

I acquired skills: how to draw, how to use photoshop, how to program, I developed personal techniques, i taught myself how to create comics, and basic html.

I never mastered them, but I believe the years I spent equipped me with a certain skill set that other people could benefit.

Of course, when the offer came, my childhood and teenage years flashed in front of me.  There was regret, yes. Regret that I did not master those skills.

 But another thought also flashed in front of me. The belief that side project and hobbies DO matter.

It will pave way for opportunities. Opportunities yours for the taking