Where 10 minutes Lead Me: Day 3

I know a lot of you living the corporate life as a designer might relate to today’s piece.

I unapologetically went with the very first feeling that came to my mind when I saw today’s word for the 10-minute challenge.

“Liminal.” Yes, that’s the word.

How would you relate to it?

Hold on to that thought for a moment, and let’s get into today’s challenge.

An AI generated image in it’s true and raw form.

Day 3

Word: Liminal

Meaning: Refers to a transitional state or space between two stages, where something is ending but something new has not fully begun.

“Trrrrriinnggggggg…..!!!!”

I woke up with my heart in my mouth. I switched off the alarm in a quick movement. This is the 4th alarm that I am snoozing today, every day. I keep alarms in 5–10 minute intervals. The initial ones are soft and don’t hurt your ears. But the last one needs to be loud or else I won’t wake up that day at all.

I saw the time, Oh no…it’s late, as usual. I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face, tied my hair while wearing a top, that’s my secret talent. Grabbed my bag and a chocolate bar and ran out of my house like my life depended on it.

The Sun was bright in the sky, clearly depicting that I was late. It’s summer after all so the sun is in full power. Few people at the bus stop even took out their umbrella to get protection from the scorching sun. I was just in time at the bus stop, as I reached the bus also, so I didn’t have to wait even a tiny bit for my bus. That’s one advantage of coming late, or I would say dot on time.

I’ve been working on the same project for the past 5 days; this isn’t the longest it took me to get approval on a project. But still every single time it eats me. I pressed the send button as I watched my 6th revision file go into the sent items in the mail. Okay, if this isn’t the final one, I’m going to murder everyone. I need a break. I got up immediately to get a coffee. The sun seemed to be shining right through our office glass, so the sitting area was quite hot. Burning hot. Even though I was chit chatting with my colleagues all I could think was will the project get an approval finally now. I hope my boss likes this one at least. I wanted to feel free.

My heart was pounding as I eagerly opened my computer.

Yes!

There’s something in the inbox!

I felt like my life’s going to change if it’s a yes in it. The moment felt liminal.

I saw a long paragraph as I opened the mail. A small disappointment passed through me, but it was immediately washed away by relief as I read “Let’s Go ahead” in the first sentence.

Yes! It is approved! Woohooo!

Finally, after 5 days of struggling the project is finally approved!!

I will party today!

I looked out of the window at the busy street below. The sun had softened, it was still bright, but no longer harsh. Pleasant, even.

Funny.

The weather hadn’t really changed.

Just how I felt about it.