This year was extremely wild for me in general. I'm in a rough mental patch while writing this but looking back on everything is helping me realize what I was able to accomplish and push through.

Academically, this year was the end of my junior (3rd) year of college while also being the start of my senior (4th) year of college. I will be graduating college in May 2024. I am still a biological sciences major, though my career pathway has changed. When I first entered college, I had the aspirations to become a doctor but through the years, those aspirations dwindled. I attempted to intern and get experience, but I wasn't accepted in many practices to get the experience that would've provided me direction as to where I could go in the medical field. A professor at my college noticed that and suggested the idea of getting into ecology. While it wasn't something I was academically thriving in either, it was something that did align with my interests much more. So next year, I'm offered a position in a research lab and even a apprenticeship in field biology.

Romantically, this year was the year I ended my five year relationship with someone I knew for nine years. I put a lot of effort into it and it took me too long to realize it was a relationship that held nothing for me. I put in too much effort and for giving so much, I was not gaining anything. We essentially became strangers that just said hi to each other every night. I was the one that broke up with him. It emotionally knocked me down for a bit, but the space allowed me to realize that I really was better off without him. It also gave me a chance to explore better options.

Artistically, I did somewhat meet my goal of drawing faster. While I did not commit to any drawing challenges, I'm not going to hold myself against it since there was a lot happening for me mentally this year and I lacked the free time and attention span to frequently sit down. (Rip Inktober + ArtFight.) I also managed to get sketchier/looser with my art which allows my art to have more fluidity. It's not at an ideal point yet, but progress is definitely being made. I also had a lot more fun doing art, focusing on what I'm interested in instead of performance so it's probably how I ended up drawing so much art this year. I hope I can keep that up.

Next year's goals for me in art is to try and do at least 100 drawings within the year and get involved in some bigger projects.