When the Vision Is Clear but the Code Is Not: A Designer’s Meltdown (and What Came After)

Today almost broke me.

Not because I don’t believe in what I’m building. Not because the vision for Chart It Later has faded. But because sometimes, getting that vision out of your head and into pixels feels like fighting a ghost in a locked room.

I spent hours today trying to fix my website background. CSS lines. Shopify themes. Custom templates. Things that should have worked — didn’t. My header was too thick, my container too white, and my patience too thin.

And at some point, I lost it.

I cursed at my screen.
I considered deleting everything.
I wondered if I was even cut out for this.

But then — I breathed.

I remembered: this isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum. And heart. And staying true to the reason I started Chart It Later in the first place: to create something full of nostalgia, grit, and truth — even when it’s messy.

So here’s what I learned (again) today:

• You can be creative and still overwhelmed.
• You can love your brand and hate the process sometimes.
• You can start over — and still be on track.

Tomorrow, I’ll try again.
With more coffee.
Fewer expectations.
And just as much heart.

If you're out there trying to build something with soul, and today felt like a disaster — you’re not alone.

We’ve got this. Even if we have to chart it later.