Creative Work Hour: Finding Value in Community

Good afternoon, happy Sunday

Over the past few months, I have been creating content more than usual. I have also dedicated more time to HIVE and online communities in general. Away from the computer, I have slowly been getting involved in some hobbies, some of which have changed my lifestyle for the better. Fitness, reading, blogging, just to name a few. What changed?, how did it come about?, how did I do it?. Well, one big thing that has helped me not only with these but with networking, learning and socialising too is a wonderful community known as Hive account@creativeworkhour.

This space was something I did not hear about in most of 2025, but around the Christmas period, Hive account@alessandrawhite introduced me to it after constantly bumping into each other on various PYPT sessions on Discord. I was hesitant at first; video calls are something I did not do. Microsoft Teams, Zoom Workspace, etc. These were things I never used; I only heard about them in pandemic times. After receiving an invitation and briefly talking in the Discord server, it was time to join my first session. I got Zoom Workspace set up quite easily, and I was actually excited to be joining my first session. It went perfectly, so well that, fast-forward many months, I attend very regularly. I won't explain what they do, I will recommend you check out Hive account@creativeworkhour to get the best description of what they are about, but in short, think of it as a small gathering of people looking to co-work, network and focus for 2 hours a day on things they want to pursue, whether big or small.

I find great value in these sessions. It ticks off my socialising box, something I feel I don't get enough of. It is a warm and welcoming space where, for 2 hours, I can just focus on what I am pursuing. Most of the time its spending those 2 hours writing or checking in on blogs, and the other times when my mind isn't as creative, I am reading or doing something productive, which is a big win for me because before I would have probably been scrolling endlessly on my phone or being lazy. The amazing hosts Hive account@alessandrawhite and Hive account@bitterirony are always available, as well as some of the regulars who help step in when any issue can arise.

The results speak for themselves.

Apologies for the shocking handwriting, which is a skill that has always evaded me. Most of the goals here, minus the financial one, travelling, and maybe the sports article writing, everything else is on track and going very well. To name the big ones at Christmas, I was 120KG, I am now 108KG. Walking 10k steps a day, on the odd day I may have missed a day, I have normally been in the gym or have forgotten to wear my watch. Networking, I have met wonderful people, including attending my first ever HIVE meetup, which was, of course, organised by Hive account@creativeworkhour. I will share some photos below on some personal highlights of my achievements so far this year.

9/30 books read I am on track, and with 3–4 books over 70% read, I am confident in this goal

My first ever hike, I am into walking, but I have never done something like this. I liked it so much, I am excited to do it again.

After so many years on Hive, I finally attended a Hive meetup, and it was great.

Speaking of Hive account@creativeworkhour, I am writing this whilst I am in session. The calm music, friendly atmosphere and lovely conversations all merge to create a flow, and this flow does not stop.

It is not even halfway through 2026, and I still have some financial troubles with a low-hour contract job, but I can honestly admit this year has really been a breath of fresh air. I have done so many new things, reconnected with old hobbies and interests and improved my lifestyle both physically and mentally. Long may it continue, and long may CWH see new faces come their way.

With that, I will wrap up the writing today. The CWH session is just about wrapping up, and my brain needs a warm cup of tea on this wet weather day. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: All photos are my own unless otherwise stated/sourced