Recognize that feeling way too well. After my own two year grind I realized I'd lost touch with almost everyone who didn't share my exact goal. Took another year to rebuild those relationships and find a new normal that wasn't just "work or don't work." My advice is to start small with stuff that costs nothing like hiking or board games with friends. The money will still be there but the people and experiences won't wait around forever.

Ngl that's life in general lately, feels like everything's a hostage situation.

Used to lean hard on open-ended prompts because I figured it left room for the writer to breathe. Then I tried one with a clear payoff like a punchline or a resolved image and the submissions actually felt tighter and more focused. These days I land somewhere in the middle: give the writer somewhere to go but don't spell out the last step.

Watched that water stain spread across the ceiling in about two weeks.

Charge the customer for the head pull labor but eat the glow plug parts cost. That way nobody feels like you're gouging them when things go sideways. I've saved more future business by absorbing a $50 part than I ever lost by walking on principle.