Kaufe Amanda einen Kaffee

JUST DO IT.

If you are of a certain age, you may remember this late 1980s shoe campaign slogan. But if you're a little younger and missed it, or perhaps a bit older and just a bit foggy on the specifics, you needn't worry: Its meaning is pretty self-explanatory.

CtrlZ Digital Designs was a name I created for myself on a whim in March of 2022. It was so easy to set up an Etsy shop to sell my work; all I needed was a name. So I thought for a moment and quickly landed on my favorite keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Z. Undo.

Always my best friend, and probably the first shortcut I taught my high school publications students -- yes, even before Ctrl + S (Save) -- CtrlZ and I have been inseparable since the moment we met.

You see, when I'm designing, I've always found a happy reassurance that my friend is there with me. If there is no risk, why not just take the leap? Try that word at 300-point font and see what it looks like on the page! Horrified? Ctrl + Z, baby!

They say, "No risk. No reward." But I say they lie.

I used to love going over and sitting by a new student designer and encouraging them to try something "wild" on their design. The student would look at me, just a little note of terror in their eye and ask, "Are you sure?"

And I would grin, and remind them, "Ctrl + Z, baby."

You'd think they were entering the last keystroke of a nuclear code the way some of them would wince when they let go of that mouse button . . .

I have always admired my mom. Around 1988, she had a license plate that read, "Just Duet," because "Just Do It" was already taken.

She's incredibly brave -- when she makes a decision, she's full-steam ahead. No hesitation. No second-guessing. I wish I were more like her.

Life doesn't have a shortcut like Ctrl + Z. Many times, or at least many times when stakes are high and it really matters, there is no "Undo."

In March of 2022, I was dangling from the precipice.

Looking for a creative outlet, a distraction from the decision I needed to make, I began designing on Canva. Most of my early work was based on my photography, which I then joined with a famous quote to express some of what I was feeling at the time. I hoped that what I created would inspire others who might be dangling elsewhere, unseen by me, and not knowing there was someone else out there too.

I was not yet ready to just do what I knew needed to be done, but I did make one bold decision: I started sharing creative work that was pretty personal.

A few brave moments and a few clicks later, my creations were "public" and ready for all the world to see.

There was no leap; I was, after all, dangling. But as it turns out, it was just the beginning.

Amanda Renee

Note from the author: It has been awhile since I first began this new stage in my life. Now in 2025, my journey has led me primarily to pursue my love of the outdoors and nature photography as well as continued digital design creations on a few different platforms. You will find my most recent work on Zazzle, where I have three separate shops. I will link to my Zazzle member page below, and you will see my shops listed in one easy-to-access spot!

My store on RedBubble continues to sell some of my earliest work, and I haven't ruled out returning there at some point even though I have not added to it for awhile.

If you are on Facebook, I encourage you to follow me there as well for the most timely announcements about my newest products and to see my latest photography projects!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Amanda Renee

CtrlZ Digital Designs