Here we are once again. If you've been following along with my last EoY reviews, you'll notice there isn't a drawing this time around.
A combination of being pretty busy with packing and just not feeling it.
This year was a mixed bag. Some really great events happened, but I'm not gonna sugar coat; this was also one of the worst years in regards to personal mental health.
Not every year gets to be a flawless, pure banger. I've been lucky to have four good years straight ever since leaving the shittier side of the Midwest behind me.
I'm going to try and keep this review as positive as I can.
Before that, a note to my future self : I hope you'll keep in mind what you've learned, what you've done, and what you can do to make life better and kinder for you.
So with that out of the way, let's get started;
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+ The multiple SoCal wild fires that ignited in the beginning of January. What a fucking nightmare that was. I was lucky that my area didn't get effected, save for having a power outage for two days straight. Still, had to have been the worst case of wildfires in the history of California.
+ Had a series of anxiety attacks and depressive episodes earlier in the year. After one particular event, I concluded that the core issue came from the environment and people I grew up with for many years.
+ My joy of drawing deteriorated after the mid-point of the year. Currently trying to get myself out of that state, but god has it been a constant fight.
+ I didn't get to finish any creative projects or animate as I planned.
+ Despite losing the momentum later, I accomplished a lot in terms of drawing. I filled up three sketchbooks worth of life drawing and studies. I also went to a few life drawing sessions throughout the year. I couldn't keep it consistent as the sessions were either weekdays only or further away from my apartment.
+ I revisited Aseprite and cranked out a few animations and sprites. I even went as far as building sprite assets for RPG Maker and learned to edit them into the program.
+ Did a skill trade with a friend; I taught them how to animate in ToonBoom Harmony and they tutored me on character illustration and fundamentals. It was fun to see how much they learned through the program while following along with the assignments.
For their part, I learned to revisit breaking down anatomy to simpler shapes, line confidence and the correct way to build thumbnails for illustrations.
+ My new webcomic project, A Series of Absurds, finally launched.
+ I went back to CO briefly and did some apartment hunting back in September. In October I applied for my top pick and immediately got approved.
+ After realizing how much damage was caused to my well-being growing up, I decided to permanently cut off the source. It was a stressful decision back then, but I don't regret it now. I wish I would've done this sooner.
+ Got to fly back out to Okinawa in October to revisit my best friend. I had a lovely time exploring their newer area and home, walking to Starbucks over the bridge, coloring fish at Future Park, eating omurice at Hoshino cafe...just so many great moments that live in my head and heart rent free.
+ Move out of CA. It was a wonderful 5 years, but it's only going to get worse environmentally and economically due to the mass damages from the start of this year. Inflation is a monster.
+ Get acclimated to my new space and hopefully make new connections.
+ Get back to animating anything. I'd like to at least finish up episode 4 of Boris or at least part 2 of it.
+ Enjoy drawing again, and despite how flawed the results are.
+ Continue weight-loss journey.
A warm and kind thank you to the friends that stuck close to me this year. I'm very lucky and grateful to still have people in my life, despite the heavier challenges being faced this year.
More than anything I just want 2026 to be a more peaceful journey. If I can't accomplish all of my intended goals, then I want to at least have that.
See you all on the other side of 2026. Take care, gang.
blakekathryn
stormborns
vaporwave
titsay
kaledo-art
