When Rest Sparks Resolve

JP de la Rama
Jun 2
2 min read

How a Family Trip Reminded Me of the Bigger Picture

“Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come after the quietest moments. Protect your joy—it's the fuel that keeps the vision alive.”

Introduction – Setting the Stage

Annnddd we’re on vacation.

Honestly? I didn’t want to work. I felt sluggish from all the walking, the late-night food trips, and the traffic.

But mostly, I just wanted to stay present—with my family, with my daughter’s laughter, with the moment.

Still, I had to pop in to give you a quick update. It’s not that nothing is going on with work—far from it, actually.

I’ve just been intentionally keeping it minimal so I can breathe a little. That breather reminded me why I did this in the first place.

This was the first time my 5-year-old fully enjoyed an amusement park. We couldn’t afford Disneyland, so we went to the local version—Enchanted Kingdom.

And her joy? Priceless. Unfiltered, explosive laughter, the kind that makes your heart feel full.

That’s all I needed to see.

And it took me back…

The Power of First Times

I remembered my own “first time” at a local peryahan—the kind of Filipino carnival that pops up during fiestas. I got on one of the fast rides, instantly regretted it, and swore I’d never ride again.

Spoiler alert: I eventually did as an adult. But that fear stuck with me.

First impressions last. Especially when you’re a child. And that’s what hit me the hardest as a parent and artist—that these small joys we give to our children are seeds.

Tiny, joyful memories that grow into their values, their courage, their empathy, and maybe even their purpose.

We often forget that. Especially when deadlines are piling up, when clients ghost you, or when the industry feels like a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for.

But it’s these human moments—the ones we don’t post often—that recharge the creative tank.

Let Breaks Refuel the Vision

And here's the big news...

We just signed a contract to work on an indie video game. That’s right—a full 2D animation project for an upcoming title.

We're in charge of the animation sprites, and it’s slated for release next year. (Can’t spill more, NDA and all.)

But this is huge.

It’s a reminder that if you just stick with it—even when the industry feels brutal, even when clients are hard to come by, even when your only break is a walk through a theme park with cotton candy and chaos—opportunities do come.

Sometimes all you need is a pause. A real one. To feel the joy again.

To remember what you’re building and who you’re building it for.

So yeah, I’m back. And recharged.

And we’re just getting started.