My god, what a crap shoot 2020 has been. With the pandemic and everything, it has been quite a challenge for everyone, but with vaccines on the way, we can only hope 2021 is a better year for all of us.
Well, I hope next year is better for me. Because of personal life and things not going the way I expected, I had to make a few changes. Some new, some deleted, some changed.
A New Website
First off: the website. Not bad, eh? I jumped content platforms to make it easier to manage; the transition was much easier than I expected. A new privacy policy with extra details (just to be a bit more safe) is up, and user management is not as difficult as before. Honestly, after fiddling with the new layout, it pleased me that everything turned out.
However, there was one thing I had to get rid of: the mailing list. Originally, I collected people’s e-mail addresses so I could provide updates on what was going on with my writing journey and other things. It did not turn out as I thought it would—content was far between, and updates were quite inconsistent. I was just not producing enough material to make it work. I had to postpone it.
I thank everyone who received those newsletters!
Overcoming Problems
I never thought that the pandemic would give me a huge cause for concern to my mental health. I never saw it in the open, but I suppose it has taken a toll in the subconscious. I’ve been very lethargic and sloppy over the past month. I have year-round seasonal affective disorder. and the weather takes a huge toll on me. Not only has it has exhausted me, I’ve become a grumpy old fart, and I’m not even that old!
Adding to the lack of energy, however, is the pandemic. No, I don’t have COVID-19, but Ontario is in lockdown as of Boxing Day, and that means being unable to go somewhere to work on writing. I like to go for coffee and work, as I get distracted too easily at home. With places shut for the time being, I have to work more at home while juggling other work and other real life responsibilities. It means projects get delayed and just left because I don’t have the energy to complete them, or I am too distracted.
It’s a pain in the arse, but I’m hoping I can get things rolling again and focus my energy. Become a new me, to become a better person, to not wallow in the depression that I’ve set into. I’ve never been a very confident or motivated person—it is a genuine struggle for me, and just adds to the burden of the other health issues.
It’s the turn of a new year. The year 2021. It’s time to work on the issues that are bogging me down. This is a chance to improve my mental and physical health (I could afford to lose some weight) and give myself a chance to feel good.
Here’s to a new year!