Fluency

Just when I thought everything was set, another new guide arrived. This week on the Big Brothers Big Sisters front, we received yet another new direction to follow. In the past, this kind of pivot might have sent me into a spiral of frustration – especially with my classes now in full swing and my free hours at an absolute premium. But this time, something felt different. I noticed that the panic didn’t set in.

With all of this back-and-forth and changes with the guides, I am getting to learn Squarespace inside and out. There’s a certain kind of mastery that only comes from being forced to rebuild the same thing in different ways.

The platform that felt so incredibly rigid and frustrating just a few weeks ago is finally starting to feel familiar. I no longer have to guess where settings are hidden, and I know exactly how to manipulate the Fluid Engine grid to get as close to my vision as possible. I’m learning its quirks, its limits, and its workarounds. I might not choose it as my primary weapon for future projects, but I can officially say I speak the language now.

Pivot, Build, Repeat

Having this new guide from BBBS means more adjustments, but because I’m more comfortable with the editor, the execution is much faster. I am moving through the layout changes with a speed and more confidence than I had at the beginning of the semester.

It’s a funny reality of the design world: sometimes the most valuable learning doesn’t come from a smooth, perfect project. It comes from the projects that make you pivot five times, forcing you to master a tool you initially wanted to throw out the window.

This newfound fluency in Squarespace is a lifesaver. I’m no longer burning time fighting the software; I can just get in, make the updates, and get out. For the first time in a while, I feel like I’m the one in control of the layout – not the template.

Farmer Dan Update

While the waiting game continues for the assets, the site itself is actually pretty set! I’ve managed to finalize the site layouts and complete the policies. It’s a good feeling to know the digital home is built and the rules are set. All that is left is to drop in content.

The race against the semester clock continues, but at least I’m running it with a much better stride.