crunch (time)

It's the pressure cooker effect, an exponential increase in productivity forced into existence by the removal of excess time. It's the spice of added urgency, the sighting of the checkpoint; never underestimate the power of a milestone. The balance is shifting, and inside the hunger grows. Wealth depletes along with time, and with it goes the stale comfort, flaking off like char from firewood. The embers are glowing, almost ready. Soon the crucible will reach high enough temperature to forge new expressions, and from that heat creativity will radiate new life.