Last day of 2024
Time to take a breather and write again amidst the usual clutter and mess the last few days of this year brings.
It’s always so hard to start a long-form post when the first thing you have to think about is a title. Words often escape me, eluding any attempt to contain them—let alone articulate them with eloquence or beauty. But I have promised myself that as I type/write this on the last day of 2024, I will — will — myself to write more. I find myself determined to accomplish a few goals for the year 2025. One of this is to be able to continue writing for an audience (this newsletter/substack). While I have been writing a lot mostly for myself, I do feel that my most preferred medium is always been to write for an audience. Not that I have one. But to my friends and other lurkers and writers that stumble upon this page, I am happy that at least one person gets to read this.
This year, I managed to read more, which feels like a personal triumph. I reveled in the fantasy, lore, myths, and romance I consumed, and I have no intention of stopping. That immersion fueled my need to live purposefully, to create and consume art that sustains and fulfills me. I only with to be able to connect more with artists and hear there stories more in the coming year.
I usually enjoy this time of the year. The past few days have been exhausting as I have been doing the usual decluttering and cleaning. It always feels so good to do this at the end of the year where clutter build up takes a life of its own. The lead up to that new year where I spend time sorting, cleaning, and being decisive with all that stuff makes me feel in control and — cheesy as it may sound — empowered. There’s nothing like being able to know that something can find a better home and that I can just acknowledge that that thing is not necessary anymore.
Surprisingly, this December has been less hectic than I expected. It has felt slower, quieter. We didn’t make any grand plans, and work has been manageable. Even the kids are starting to enjoy being home and entertaining themselves. Still, the sensory overload can be intense, and I’ve learned to carve out moments for myself during the day to decompress. I have been getting a lot better at this. But I also know that my kids at this age will continue to evolve independently and interdependently. Their relationship and dynamics has also changed so much. It’s quite an adventure worthy of another post.
As I reflect on 2024—or at least try to—it feels like there’s a weight to that exercise, a pressure I can’t quite accommodate at this moment. Instead, I’m stealing a few moments of peace after folding laundry, cleaning office shelves, sorting one drawer after another, and playing with my kids as they constantly pull me into their world. It’s a lot, but it’s a start.
Hope to see you guys here. Thank you and Happy New Year!