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In the quest for balance between quality of life and work, I found my ideal space at Press Start, where I have been since 2019. Reflecting on the years and projects, I realize that Press Start is the job I longed for when I left my last on-site position.

I am María Gimena López and as a graphic designer, I used to spend countless hours in front of the computer, with workdays that often extended into the early hours, sustained by a strong coffee, sweets, or cigarettes—anything to keep sleep at bay. Gradually, work consumed more time than my life at home, and my colleagues became a second family. After eight years in this routine, my health began to suffer, and with it came the realization of how daily small decisions have a large impact.

At that crucial moment, I started to seek changes: preparing healthy meals, being more active, reading… But these new needs clashed with the demands of my job. I wasn’t alone; my colleagues also yearned for a change, which led many to seek more favorable work conditions, including myself. After many days of analysis and a brief stint at another company, I decided to venture into the freelance world. It was a big leap that required responsibility and organization, qualities that take on a new dimension when you work for yourself.

Persistence was key. My profession offers the versatility to adapt to different needs and contexts, which led me to jump from project to project. Sometimes I had to go to the office, other times I worked from home, alternating long workdays with days without income, devising strategies to survive on limited resources.

My story with Press Start began with designing presentations on video games at the end of 2018. It quickly turned into a part-time contract, creating art for video games and other digital products for clients in Australia. The work expanded to Fintech applications and web pages, leading to a full-time extension. Every day was a new challenge: coordinating with a global team, understanding the needs of international clients in Australia, the United States, Uruguay, and the rest of Latin America; adapting to the pandemic, which eventually impacted our projects when companies were forced to adjust their budgets.

But what really makes Press Start my dream job is not losing about 3 hours in Bogotá traffic. Now I live in Zipaquirá and replaced the hours on public transport with morning runs or bike rides. This job has allowed me to grow as an amateur runner, compete in different cities and municipalities of Colombia without affecting my work, control my diet, and enjoy proper schedules. The flexibility of Press Start and a responsible balance of time and tasks have given me the quality of life I always wanted.

Remote work and the possibility of being a digital nomad have not only marked a turning point in my professional career but also in my personal life. The synergy between flexibility, passion, and technology here has proven to be the formula for my well-being. This has been more than a change of job, it has been a rediscovery of what it means to work with purpose and live fully. I am grateful for every challenge in these years of experience and for every opportunity this company has given me. And as I look towards the horizon of possibilities that unfold before me, I know that each new challenge will be an opportunity to continue growing, learning, and most importantly, enjoying every moment of this game we call life. Thank you, Press Start, for being more than a workplace, for being a space where personal and professional evolution coexist in harmony.