2025 - A Year in Review

Back in August, I reflected on my year so-far, and how I was progressing in the achieving of the goals I'd set out for myself at the beginning of the year. Since then, not much has changed, as wouldn't you know it, life got busy again. Because I can only broken record so hard, I will be brisk in renumerating the truths of this year. 2025 sucked ass, and had some really beautiful moments along the way. I'm proud of all of us for making it through year one of explicit fascism and I hope we all survive to watch the regime crumble. I can't stress enough that now more than ever is the time to make sure your friends know you love them, and that you'll always have a bowl of soup and a cat-covered couch if they need it.

Now we're jumping into 2026, which looks just as tough as the year before. Last year I had ten goals and didn't achieve all of them in the ways that I had wanted to, but maybe I learned something. For context, I write with the intent to share and document and process, and while life is rarely so tidy that it can be summarized into chapters with lessons, part of my hope is that I can take something of value with me as time marches on, and that each year is more than just "another year." In 2025 I came to understand that it is not enough to just survive: I want to live and love and thrive (and maybe rhyme unintentionally.)

So what does that mean, quantifiably?

1. I want to set myself up for success - I need to be more diligent about giving myself time and making space to do my work. Much of my craft/hobby is done in stolen moments in inopportune conditions. By setting a routine and a boundary so that when I work I am only working, I should be able to do what needs to be done without splitting my attention. Work/Life balances have never been my strong suit, but with the right determination, maybe that can change.

2. I want to create on my own terms - A few years ago on this very blog, I got in the habit of making my bespoke minis fit into scenes depicting their victories and defeats with atmosphere and scenery that I felt heightened the art. With the struggles of everyday life encroaching, I want to get back to presenting my work in a way that respects it, instead of my struggling to keep up with my contemporaries, both real and imagined.

3. I want to include others - Last year my goal was to play more games, and while I did, I know in my heart that I need more. Locally and regionally, I'd like to be more active in my community, participating in projects and campaigns and enjoying this life/career I've set up for myself. None of us are getting any younger, so there's really no point in waiting to live. If that attitude has worked for my transition, it might as well work here too.

4. I want to be proud of what I've done - This is less of a goal and more of the result of accomplishing the first three items on the list. I know I'm capable, and that I can be committed, so at this point its all a matter of following through, and making taking care of my creative life a priority. This proposed shift is easier said than done of course, but so are all the important things are in life. Hopefully I get the swing of things quick!

Since my tone can't make up it's mind, I'll call it a wrap here. I think having 3 overarching shifts to my approach are probably more achievable than the 10 concrete-ish goals I began last year with, but we shall see! We're at the exciting part of the year, where the ideas are laid out, and we get to watch them unfold. I'll post about specific projects later, but for now Happy New Year everyone, and good luck out there.