Leave breadcrumbs for future you

Take a photo of the physical work or attach the current file or link. Evidence answers the first restart question: “Where was I?”

For a pottery project, that might be one clear photo of the latest prototype. For a digital project, it might be the exact working document rather than the folder that contains it.

Write the thought that would otherwise disappear: what you changed, what you rejected or what must stay the same. One sentence is enough. This prevents future you from repeating the same experiment.

Make it concrete and visible. “Continue pottery” is too large; “narrow the petal base without changing the point” gives you somewhere to place your hands. The move should help the project advance, even if it does not complete a stage.

Keep ideas, work in progress, paused projects and finished work separate. A paused project remains safely held without demanding attention. When you restart it, the saved card brings its thread back with it.