2023 Reflections and 2024 Plans

Hi everyone!

I hope you've all had a wonderful, restful holiday season.

2023 was obviously a quiet year for me online. I released a grand total of one video, but am just proud I've managed to achieve that. Offline I've had a crazy year. Here's some of what I've been up to:

- I travelled to no less than four new countries this year: Japan, South Korea, Spain and Belgium (as well as two trips to Ireland). The Japan trip was obviously particularly significant -- I crossed off my number 1 bucket list goal of visiting Shirakawa-go!! But more on that a bit later!

- Back in spring, I was successful in applying for a complex caseworker role at the homelessness service I work at, and have recently taken over as Service Manager (for how long, I'm not sure)

- Got my first co-author publication credit as some research I did during my Master's degree was compiled into a wider paper and published! It was about effective missing person investigations

- I did a Learn to Row course! This was my effort to do something new and out of my comfort zone for the year, I really enjoyed it!

- Saw Joe Hisaishi live! Another bucket list goal

- Have been trying to make the most of being back in London. Particularly enjoyed going to the cinema and theatre alone, as well as generally going for walks and stumbling upon new places

- Got more into original writing again. I used to write poetry when I was younger (my dad is a writer, was a poet first and got me into it) but fell out of it and have just begun again. Also started writing my first original short story! Am hoping to share these in the future

- I got a therapist! I had one through the NHS when I was younger, have intended to get one as an adult for a long time and was fortunately finally in the position this year to be able to afford to go private

More than anything, though, I spent this year with people. My primary reason for moving back to London last year was to be closer to friends and family again and it's something I've been making the most of. I wasn't in a great place coming into the year and have spent a lot of my time simply trying to do things that will make me happy.

This isn't to say that YouTube, and writing, doesn't do this -- but it was a year where I needed to spend my free time out, with others, doing things other than sitting at my desk, particularly after years of, between uni and the pandemic, doing little else. There's no profound reason why I haven't been uploading -- adult life is busy, and I prioritised other things over creation.

I'm definitely in a better place than I was at the start of the year, but don't currently see those priorities changing, which is something I'd rather be transparent with you guys about. Still, I do want to spend more time on YouTube stuff this year. My goal is a humble one: upload multiple videos!

I've been working on the script for my next video, my Japan "vlog" (expect more photos than videos), which has been a lot of fun. It's going to be a mixture of recounting and sharing footage from my trip along with travel tips, recommendations, reflections and more. It's a long one but am going to aim to finish the script and get started on making the video this week.

My next project after this will be the poll winner: Umineko! Yes, guys, it's finally happening. Once the script for the Japan video is done, I'll get back into re-reading. I will definitely share more about this in the Jan updates post.

In 2024, I want to carry over all the best things about 2023: travel, time with loved ones, fun, exciting, new experiences. 2023 was at points a really challenging year, not always in the best ways, and I know I need to prioritise health and wellbeing this year. But I also want to slowly give more of my time and energy to creation again. I'm juggling a lot, which is why I'm not putting too much pressure on myself, but tackling Umineko feels important and exciting on lots of levels and would definitely be a big achievement for me.

I'd like this post to be more committed and energised in tone, but this is an honest reflection of where I'm at. There's a lot in flux in my life right now and I'm doing my best to set realistic goals, things I can commit to in the midst of not knowing a lot about how this year is going to look for me.

This little bit of insight into how life looks for me right now is my meagre thanks for your enduring support. I was honestly thinking about closing my Patreon earlier this year, as I felt guilty I was unable to give more as compensation for that support. But I also understand that that's exactly what it is - a vote of confidence, a reminder that people want to hear and value my voice, especially in its absence. As I've retreated from social media, I've continued to value this as a quieter space where I can share a bit more of myself, and a patient but important push to keep writing and sharing. I write because it's a part of who I am, of how I think and process and live. It's a healthy habit for me, and one that, like all healthy habits, can be easy to neglect. This space is a reminder to carve out that time, even just for this small audience, to keep that part of me alive, and to keep doing something that really matters to me, easy as it is to forget.

If there's anything you'd like to see on the Patreon or the channel in the upcoming year, or just anything you'd like to share, please feel welcome.

Thank you for being here! Wishing you all a truly wonderful 2024.