Tough spot to be in for sure. Sticking to your values can cost you a job sometimes, but it also sets a clear line in the sand for the work you want. Lost a similar customer over refusing to use certain cleaners, and it actually made my regulars trust me more. The right clients will come along who value your standards, even if it stings to watch that first one walk away.

Honestly Ellis, why are we writing off burnt matchsticks so fast? I get that new tools like bamboo picks are cleaner, but a properly charred match has a give to it that plastic or wood just can't match. Tbh, that carbon tip is perfect for nudging small springs without scratching anything. I've tried the fancy picks and always come back to a simple match for the really finicky bits.

Seriously, why the big debate? All astrophotos get processed anyway. Those satellite lines are just man-made junk. Cleaning them up shows the real space stuff better. It's not cheating, it's fixing a problem. Nobody gets upset about editing out dust spots. So what's the big deal?

See what you mean about mulching. I almost killed my snake plant by packing the soil too tight after a trim. Took ages to bounce back.

How do you decide which comic to grab when things get heavy? I totally get using stories to zone out, since following a good arc lets my own worries fade into the background for a while. Really cool that you've built a habit that gives you that space.