New Projects, Freelancing, and Exploring Beyond the Code

…catching up on updates and reflections

Hey there,

It’s been a while, and I have a lot to catch you up on. I’ve been hard at work lately on our latest app project for Apprime Studio, as well as making sure Mockup is running smoothly. I've jumped back into freelancing and there are exciting things brewing in the background. On top of that, managing everything has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but it's been a fun ride.

Ready to see what's been going on?

Streamlining Progress with the New App

Working on the new app has been quite the experience, as seen from the snippets I shared on social media. Initially starting off strong with SwiftUI, everything seemed promising until I encountered some roadblocks that required more time for fixes than I anticipated. Making the switch to UIKit wasn't an easy decision, but it brought a sense of relief knowing that our end goal was still achievable.

Admittedly, adapting to UIKit has been more time-consuming, as expected. Achieving the same functionality requires more code and manual effort compared to SwiftUI. However, I've come to value the increased control and flexibility it offers.

Despite the slower pace, I find myself enjoying the process and making progress once again. To streamline our development efforts, I've brought in a developer from Upwork to tackle specific parts of the project concurrently. If all goes according to plan, I'll extend this approach to other areas and seamlessly merge everything later on.

Fixing the Gaps, Enhancing Mockup’s Experience

If you follow along, you’d know that I've released several bug-fix updates for Mockup. In the past 3 weeks, I addressed the issues swiftly and effectively, ensuring a smoother experience for our users.

As we gear up for Mockup 3.10, I can definitely confirm that exciting new features are in the works.

Freelancing: Why Not?!

I've recently taken on a freelance project, and you might be asking why. Well, why not?

It's a refreshing change of pace. I dedicate less than 4 hours a day for a few days each week to it.

And what makes it even better is that the project is enjoyable, and working with this client is incredibly smooth. There are no meetings to juggle, no calls to answer, and best of all, no deadlines roaming around.

Exploring Beyond the Code

In the midst of my busy schedule with app development and freelancing, I've been considering starting a new business, something entirely different from software development.

I began laying the groundwork for it for quite some time now. I prefer to keep the details private. All I can say is that it's still in its early stages but it’s an exciting venture.

Finding Balance

Managing everything, from my app development projects to daily life tasks and prioritizing exercise, has been quite the balancing act lately. I've found myself hitting a wall for a couple of days, feeling lost as I jumped between various responsibilities.

But I've learned that the solution lies in going back to basics: time-blocking. By dividing my day into three focused work sessions and aligning them with my priorities, tasks, and energy levels, I've regained a sense of control and productivity.

Reflecting Back

Here’s my take on what I shared with you. In my reflections this week, I've come to realize that life is far from always being either black or white or straightforward.

For instance, time-blocking has been super helpful for me in the past, as it continues to be now, but there were times when it was too much and it didn’t help. Flexibility and knowing how and when to apply it are indeed crucial factors.

Likewise, my approach to freelancing has seen its highs and lows. There were moments when I felt compelled to step away completely, convinced that it was adding unnecessary pressure. However, I realized that the key lay in effective communication and setting suitable conditions for success. And that’s why I found myself coming back to it.

That’s it for today. I hope you enjoyed catching up on what I’ve been doing recently. Now, I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time!