So it’s 2018. Weird.
It’s been an eventful 2017, hasn’t it? I changed my name and my space and my whole world, just a bit. I rebuilt myself from the ground up, a few blocks at a time, and I feel softly content. I know myself well enough to know that my moods come in waves. I’ll get really excited about something and then leave it behind or change it when it becomes tiresome or I lose steam. I’ll maintain aloof disinterest in something until it catches my attention just right and lights a fire in me. I did that at least twice in 2017 and I’m sure it’ll happen again a few more times in the coming year.
In January of 2017, I was three months into learning French. I had lost some pounds and was a busy bee indeed! February saw my 28th birthday and a mild cold that knocked me out for a few days. March was the first month I started to feel burned out but as someone who loves watching numbers grow, it didn’t stop me yet. April began regular trips to Eastern Washington and a rising excitement for the new me. In May I began adding to my chic new wardrobe and June saw my restlessness peak. By the end of July, the new website had launched and it came out slowly, just the way I wanted it to. August was hot and awesome, September I took a few weeks to hit up the rest of the West Coast, October began the holiday season and saw me move to a new apartment, November was beautiful for my soul and my bank account, and December ended 2017 on a quiet, cold note in my beautiful new space.
This work comes and goes in waves and I’ve tried to use the ebbs to fill myself. A good friend once told me that only half of our job is providing companionship. The other half is keeping ourselves interesting enough that that companionship is worth it. So I learned a language, how to sail, both not very well, and have started volunteering at various worthy causes around the city. With SWOP activities slowed to a crawl and self-imposed limits to how busy I can realistically be, I find myself with time to fill.
My goals for 2018 are to finally publish something. Perhaps that book I’ve been talking about for ages or perhaps just a few simple short stories. Whatever I decide, I want to get something out. Also to keep a closer eye on my health. I’ve been careless so far, eating and drinking whatever I feel like but it’ll catch up with me eventually so this year I’d like to pay closer attention. And after filing this year’s taxes I’ll be looking into more aggressive investment opportunities. I’m still young so I have time to take some risks and I have a not insubstantial chunk of capital to work with.
Wish me luck! I’ll be around this year enjoying myself, my work, and my free time. I hope to see more of you in 2018!