From my memory, I don't know if I've ever really done a kind of "end of the year" post, but I guess I'm just feeling a bit sappy and thankful for where I'm at going into the new year, so I just wanted to kind of chronicle some of my thoughts, and most of all, I wanted to thank all of you Patrons for all of your support and kindness throughout this year.
It goes without saying that without all of youโwhether new Patron or oldโI would not be able to be here, closing in on my sixth year of doing audios as my main source of income. You all have truly, genuinely changed my life, and I seriously cannot thank all of you enough for all for the support.
And not only monetary support. When I first started this Patreon, I fell into the trap that a lot of creators do, where I was working myself to the bone, ignoring resting and trying my best to make things that felt "worth" all the support I was getting, that I burnt myself out really bad. I guess I was just so afraidโand still am afraid sometimes, even though that's just my anxiety talkingโthat if I didn't give it my all almost every waking moment, that I wouldn't be able to keep this miracle of a job. But you all have proved time and time again, that it's not only the things that I create that you care about. You care about me, and my well being, physically, mentally, emotionally or otherwise.
So much has happened in this past year, and while the stress and the setbacks and the anger and frustrations feel the loudest and stand out the most, what also stands out to me is just the sheer care and understanding that comes pouring out of all of you when I have to tell you that I need a break, or that I'm struggling.
You all understood when I said I wanted to change the way that I create so that I wouldn't burn myself out any further, and perhaps it comes from trauma and being diagnosed as ADHD as an adult, but having people not only genuinely care about the fact that I'm struggling, but actually understandโand don't claim that I'm just faking, or that I'm not trying hard enoughโis something that still to this day kind of baffles me, and is something that I hold very near and dear to my heart.
I never want to take that kindness and care and understanding for granted, and so this year, I really wanted to get back to a better place mentally, so that I could find joy in creation again, and while it's not as quick as I want it to be, when looking back on where I was at mentally this time last year? It's like night and day.
I know I'm already rambling on a lotโas I tend to doโso I'm not going to go on too too much longer, so I'll simply say this.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything that you've done for me. This job has changed my life for the better, and I look forward to continuing to do this for as long as I can, because I truly love doing it. I can't wait to go forward into the new year knowing that I have so much support behind me, and I'm excited to see where everything goes.
I hope that you all had a good year, and if you didn't, I hope that this coming year treats you better. Please everyone, no matter who you are or where you are in your life, know that you matter, and that there are people who love and care and support you, and you are not alone.
Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and keep going. I believe in you, just like you all believe in me. ๐๐๐