Expect slowdown
A bit of a status update since the last post...

"I've been taking a bit of a break from melonDS lately... mental health reasons, a silly side project, the usual stuff."

More of the same stuff, but add to it that I've been getting started in this new job.

While it's been nice to have time to myself in order to deal with mental health matters, unemployment gets old after a while, so I was eager to finally start this job.

If you remember, I've had a foretaste of it back in December, too. I've seen my ADHD self thrive in that setting. The job is largely about repairing A/V equipment. This feels like a much better fit for my brain than a regular developer job. I like to code, but that's not all I do: I also like to build, repair things, and in general, understand how systems work (or design them). I consider code to be much of the same, but it's all inside a computer instead of being a physical object, so it lacks the "doing things with my hands" aspect.

A related example here: last year, I repaired buttons on a vacuum tube radio as part of a larger project. This is the kind of small project where I have a blast: using my brain to figure out a solution, actually implementing it with my hands, doing my best to adapt to how things actually work out... It makes me feel alive like nothing else.

But I digress. The flip side of this is that the longer work day and commute time leave me with less time at home. On the other hand, this job is a particular arrangement where I'll be working half of the year, which will definitely give me time for my personal projects, including melonDS. Just, won't be now. The first work period is going to be 6 months.

-

This also means having to balance work and mental health.

I feel better equipped to handle this, and I can envision the possibility of long term happiness. But there's still a long way to go. I also find this interesting. Probably because there's the same "figuring out how a system works" aspect, but with my own psyche. Instead of being cold logic, it's very emotion-driven.

I find the whole topic very interesting too! I would write about it (not here), I like to write about things and I feel that it could inspire other people, but I don't want to get too personal either.

-

This most likely means there won't be much progress on melonDS until November, atleast from me.

Part of me wants to figure out something for ARM9 timings. But realistically, I should focus on finishing what needs to be finished for melonDS 1.2. Polishing the OpenGL renderer. Maybe furthering the codebase cleanup. Those things.

I'll do my best.
lucaspltn says:
May 10th 2026
Wishing you the best for your new job!!! 🙌🏼
Amine says:
May 10th 2026
Thank you for all that you are going to the emulation community. Wishing you the best. I hope you find what you are looking for in this new job
Zyute says:
May 11th 2026
After everything you have mentioned here I'm very happy for you to see life go your way with the new job so may it be just what is needed! If it means the quality of your day to day gets better waiting till November is a small sacrifice. Thanks for sharing what you have and good luck Arisotura 👍.
Lockstar64 says:
May 11th 2026
Great to hear that you can see a trajectory for longer-term happiness, that's so important. Good luck and take care :)
morelikejonarbuckle0 says:
May 11th 2026
Hell yeah, employment!
UtenaRevolutionary says:
May 11th 2026
Congrats on the new job!!! As always, your health and mental well-being should be far more important. And thanks for all your contributions to emulation over the years!
Arisotura says:
May 12th 2026
Thank y'all! <3
mrjfilippo says:
May 15th 2026
Thanks for taking the time to update! All the best!
stranger love says:
May 17th 2026
Life/work balance is what I preach to my girls. Without it you are treading water. They are still in High school and already doing well in following their "passionate love to do career's". The difficulty for most of us is knowing what it is that you truly want to do and getting on that path while still having enough income to live with and time to relax your soul.
I have not had the pleasure to use your emulator, but praise you for your hard work and sharing it with all of us.
Take the best care of yourself, everyone else can wait ;-)
Trunks says:
May 17th 2026
Congratulations on the new job! I'm glad you are prioritizing your mental health and I appreciate the effort you put in to communicating with us. Take care of yourself.
ma7mood says:
May 18th 2026
Thanks
Yourthankfuluser says:
May 18th 2026
i cannot thank you enough for what you have contributed on the emulation scene, wish you all the best, and good luck on your new journey :D
olosloslos says:
May 22nd 2026
Thank you
LEGO_Vince says:
May 22nd 2026
Good luck on the new job
sykes says:
May 27th 2026
dont worry mate, stay healthy!
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