Update: 2.7.24 — Reflect
As promised, I spent the month of January looking back on what I accomplished in 2023.
It’s a lot. More than I give myself credit for most days.
I spent four and a half months unemployed after making the difficult decision to move on from a job that wasn’t serving me anymore. That choice surfaced feelings of selfishness and guilt because I knew how many people were struggling to find work at the time, and I know many still searching today.
I am lucky.
I’ve spent the last eight months building a role in a new company, and in many ways, I’ve found myself struggling with the same emotions and frustrations as before. This time, however, I feel far more confident in my resiliency and in the intention I carried into the position. I’m working to live, not living to work—trying to at least.
Throughout 2023, I tried to find time for passion projects. Work that truly mattered to me.
I created digital art. Hundreds of pieces in fact. My favorite is below, and the best 25 are available here.
I progressed in my musical journey, culminating in the release of my first full-length project, LITE.
Now, I’m sitting on 130+ sketches, ideas, and half-finished tracks that I’ll soon sift through and hone for the next collection.
I spent more than 200 hours as a Crisis Text Line Volunteer, giving space and support to those struggling with every manner of struggle this life can deliver. To anyone looking to give back to their community in a low-commitment, high-impact position, I can’t recommend this organization enough. Learn more about the amazing opportunity here.
I read 33 books—a drop compared to previous years, but there were some long ones (looking at you Stephen King, RFK Jr.) in there that I might have shied away from if I’d had a numeric goal in mind.
While 2023 delivered plenty of hardship, it also gave me a number of unexpected blessings.
Kyra and I adopted a dog. We moved to a beautiful home in a wonderful part of Seattle after three amazing years in the downtown apartment of my dreams.
I became a devoted Brandi Carlile fan.
One night, I danced myself home blasting Fred Again.. in my AirPods after a WAMU concert following a rough Ducks loss here in Seattle. A rollercoaster of emotion, that day.
I made new friends, explored new places, and learned a lot about myself last year.
Now it’s 2024.
I’ve got plans. But who knows what the year will bring?
We’re here. We’re alive. And that alone is a miracle.
Sincere thanks to everyone following my journey. You mean more than you could ever know. Expect a token of my appreciation soon.
Cheers to you, and cheers to me. So long and thanks, 2023 💛