I haven’t been regular about my posting as I was busy working on Dexter’s Daily Quotes, which started in February 2020, just before we were aware of COVID-19. I’ve had other writing ideas and considered trying to put together a book, but I haven’t decided whether I want to pursue that yet. But I am excited to say, since it has been a while since I have done any painting, that I bought myself a watercolor and acrylic paint set with some canvases, and I’m excited to try them out. So my resolution for 2024 is to get back to painting and drawing. I’ll still do photography, but I’ve been thinking it’s way past due.

I turned 50 years old on April 20th, and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about my life. I’m still in mindfulness and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) groups and practices. For almost two years, I was seeing a wonderful therapist, and we were getting closer to trying EMDR, when I recently had to interview for an alternate therapist. I’d love to wait for whenever she has to return; however, I don’t know if that is going to happen. I have picked someone in the interim who has worked with trauma and is willing to take a chance on her. It’s a pain in the ass to start over, and since I’ve been in and out of therapy or counseling for years, I know what I’m comfortable with and have learned to be very proactive with my health and mental health needs. I decided to change primary care physicians and have an appointment in mid-January. Had to switch where I’m getting my allergy shots, and unfortunately, also the allergy doctor. I am hoping things stabilize in 2024, and I can get to what is going on with my health and get to improve my overall health. I have continued grounding every single night with my grounding mat, and occasionally, when the weather is nice, I go out to earth. I do practice mindfulness daily with the help of the Finch app, which I recommend, and have little reminders to assist me in daily life on Post-Its.

At the beginning of 2023, my Grandmother was in the hospital and went in around Thanksgiving of 2022. She turned 90 in March, and I’m grateful to still have her in my life. My father had a pretty bad accident in late September, which could have been much worse, but he survived as well, and worrying about my Grandmother and Father made me reflect more about how life is short.

Mushu Yang showed up in October of 2022, and happy to have him still by my side; at least he does allow me to snuggle with him, which makes me happy. But for now, I’m tired and need to get to sleep, but I might do a bit more reflecting on the year in the next few days.