End of 2023

We made it. 

Well if you are reading this you made it through most of this crazy year. It’s a sad fact that not everyone has, so for a brief moment (whatever fits in your schedule) pause your reading for a moment of silence for those who haven’t made it to today. I will too. 

Okay, so I asked not because I’m religious or anything, but because we all need that moment. Our lives are so busy all the time, some of us don’t take the time to grieve for the ones we have lost or to remember that life is precious. This year I lost two cats to health complications, some of the people I grew to admire passed, two friends got married, senseless violence continues to take lives of civilians around the world, systems continue to fail the people they should be protecting, my nieces and nephews are learning about who they are, I went to my first Renaissance fair, I got two new cats and one has had health issues, I’ve had other friends come out, I’ve been through a lot through my marriage and we continue to work through it all as a team, I got Covid and thought I was going to die, a few friends had children, I made new friends, and recently my mom was hospitalized. While I could go on,I’d be here forever. Basically it’s been a roller-coaster of a year, and if it has been for you as well, I’m sorry, but I’m glad you made it. If it’s been an easy year for you then you are really lucky or privileged, congrats you also made it through. 

It has been a year of much self discovery and re-education. Some goals were met, some not as much, and some we added. I started painting again but writing less; I streamed on twitch a few times this year, but not as much as i wanted; The blog is still around and I actually got a sticker made and a pin made! I think I want to make 2024 a year where I focus more on my projects that I want to accomplish, at least with art, writing, and streaming.

2023, like most of my life before it, had me dwelling on the wrong things, the negative thoughts, and comments people made, the bad days, and not putting myself first…that too needs to change. If you have also been neglecting yourself, and not practicing self-love, make sure you make that a goal in 2024. If ignorant comments get under your skin, address them, don’t let them fester and develop into something worse. I have friends make comments that were shitty, that I allowed to take space in my head rent free, and that is not okay. It wasn’t okay for them to make them, and it wasn’t okay for me to let it fester, and I know some of them read my blog, so if this applies to you reading this, be better. To those that have been there for me without making me feel bad about how I run/live my life, thank you, know that I appreciate you.

2024 I’m sure will also be a rollercoaster, as that is how life is, but you don’t have to ride it alone. Find and build healthy support systems, make good choices for yourself and if you trip, get up. Your journey is your journey, there may be missteps, but keep moving forward. 

I don’t intend for this blog to be too long, but know that someone in this crazy world wants you to be happy, be healthy, and grow into the best version of yourself. I wish you all a safe and happy 2024, I hope there is more communication and less fighting. I hope I get to see more of my friends and chosen family, I hope to make more magic, and make my time here mean something. May we all treat each other and ourselves in a way that would make Mister Rogers proud of us (If you don’t know, look him up).

Have a safe and happy new year, whether you are celebrating alone or going to a social gathering. I’m glad you spent a little of your time with me today, whenever you read this, wherever you are in life. Keep doing your best!

~ Owl