I sort of got fired, my boss saw that I had “quit job” on my desk candler and to-do list for the last three weeks. I told him why, he wasn’t able to help, so we separated.
I’d say (and this is personal) falling in love (more so the heartbreak) helped me be a better designer. No idea why, maybe I became more empathetic?
I’d guess knowing how to put things together and take them apart has helped but I have been doing that my whole life.
Working in a foundry helps me understand / appreciate how things are made.