This year was not as bad, well, for me, anyway. I've reached a massive milestone in my life. First, I graduated with my Master's degree. Then, I completed a special project that helped me earn my certification. So the next step would now be to find my dream job… during a time when we are facing the worst job recession… to the point that it may even surpass the 2008 Recession... Hahaha!
However, on a more positive note, some benefits have emerged from this year.
Like this year was the best year in media I've had in a long time! Goated Movies! Goated TV Shows! Goated Video Games! Goated YouTube videos! It feels like I'm back in the early 2010s again! I'd list them all, but I don't want to make this thread longer than it is. I'll just say this, though. The fact that we're experiencing this creative renaissance during a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become such a massive threat to not just the creative medium but to society as a whole says something. Human creativity remains in high demand and is needed now more than ever. So I am glad that I am still exercising these creative muscles and not reliant on a generative AI prompt.
The fact that it's been ten years since I started this Deviantart page is crazy to think about. Like I had no idea what I was doing. Even before then, I tried my hand at making crappy YouTube videos that I now look back on and cringe at. But drawing was simple enough, and I've stayed consistent as much as possible. I thought by this time I'd grown out of it or abandoned it at some point, but something in me has not allowed me to do so. Like, there is something in me that needs to be let out. I have many ideas that I want to share with the world. Even if only very few will see it, at least I can say that I brought someone some kind of joy. It shows that I underestimated my abilities.
This year has been a revelation in realizing that I can do and accomplish more than I thought. It didn't rely on following what everyone else did, but on using my own unique set of skills to meet those goals. Even with these accomplishments, I still have a long road ahead, but I feel more confident about myself and less scared than I once thought it was impossible. And for whoever is reading this, I hope you find the inner strength in yourself that helps you accomplish your own goals. It won't be easy, but when you get there, you will feel invincible and feel that you can do anything.
Anyway, I wish you all a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support over the years, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026!
PS.
The cherry on top for this year was getting an official, voice-acted appearance of Flame Princess during Fionna and Cake season 2 run (and yes, even if it was just for a brief scene for a single episode). Hey! I'll take what I can get at this point! I'm still getting over the fact that she and Finn were never the intended endgame.
