Reflection & Growth
- 1. The "One Word" Summary: If you had to describe this past year with just one word, what would it be? Why does that word capture the essence of your experience? Productive. Because this year we finished painting and wallpapering the office/focus room, and painted the liquarium, and the bathroom downstairs.
- 2. The Hardest Lesson: What was the most difficult lesson you learned this year? How did that challenge change your perspective or the way you handle things now?
- 3. The "Biggest Regret" Reframed: What is your biggest regret from the year, and if you could go back, what specific piece of advice would you give your past self to navigate it differently? I think my biggest regret is not being festive or really having fun/celebrating holidays. We usually decorate and eat food for Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, birthdays, Spring holidays, Halloween, winter holidays, etc but last year we didn't, really. I didn't even have a Christmas tree. I want to be festive this year. I don't know what happened, but things just got in the way of the holidays.
Achievements & Highlights
- 4. The "Unsung Hero" Moment: Beyond the big milestones everyone saw on social media, what was a small, quiet victory you achieved that you are deeply proud of? I am proud of the fact that I got over my Mid-Life-Crisis thing, where I was scared to grow old and it was freaking me out. I don't feel that way anymore. I suddenly decided that my body may be 46, but my attitude doesn't have to be old. I can still be a youthful 46. I am not as scared of growing old now. Because there's nothing I can do about it. So, just have fun while you can!
- 5. The Surprise Twist: What happened this year that you never could have predicted last January? How did you adapt to this unexpected change? I had no idea painting the rooms in the house would be so fruitful. We did 3 rooms this past year. And had a lot of fun doing it. Especially the liquarium (library with a marine theme).
- 6. Your Best Creative Work: What is one project, idea, or creation you worked on this year that felt the most "you"? What made that process so fulfilling? And speak of the devil: The Liquarium. Happy painting mistakes turned into the coolest design on a wall. Let me show you a picture:
Connections & Influence
- 7. The Game-Changer Person: Who is one person who entered your life (or became more prominent in it) this year who significantly influenced your growth or happiness? I can't say enough about my mate, L. She and I grow closer and closer each and every year we've been together. It's been 16 years now and I love her so very much. She and I had a couple fights this year but we want to work on that. The big fights usually ensue due to me being in a mixed bipolar episode or a dysphoric mania.
- 8. Discovery of the Year: What was your favorite "find" this year? This could be a new book, a hobby, a specific place, or even a new way of thinking that you now swear by. I'll take a NOUN for $800: I finally got a new laptop in April. I needed it badly and I love it. I can actually work on music and art and use it a lot more efficiently than the last piece of shit that I had.
Looking Forward
- 9. What You’re Leaving Behind: What habit, mindset, or resentment are you intentionally choosing to leave in the past year as you move into the new one? I want to leave pessimistic thinking behind. I also don't want to be toxically positive, but I just want to keep an even balance with how I think and interact and treat people.
- 10. The "North Star" for Next Year: Based on everything that happened this year, what is the single most important thing you want to prioritize in the coming 12 months? I want to find the private garden where we want to do our "warranty" ring exchange (not getting married). And I want to travel/explore Indiana and maybe the surrounding areas a little more. This means working some overtime for extra $ but it's worth it because I think making memories and having fun is very important.
Here's some pictures from 2025:
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge concert
Everclear concert (free) in Kokomo
My favorite wall in the house
L and her mom at the zoo
L painting the Liquarium
Dave Matthews Band concert @Ruoff in Noblesville IN
Indiana Fever WNBA game
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