What a year it’s been. It made sure that no one will ever forget it. That might be a good thing, at least a little, as it’s taught us a lot about ourselves.

This year might get a little easier but we aren’t out of the woods yet and a lot will still be thrown our way. South Africa is currently back on level 3 lockdown in the hopes of preventing more of a spread.

**THIS BLOG HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT TOPICS**

This isn’t about how bad of a year it’s been though.

I’m almost 2 years without an epileptic attack and it makes me happy. Especially seeing as this was not something I ever really thought of besides a family member who had it.

It’s been a journey of a lots of ups and downs and a lot of pain and tears. But it won’t let it get me down. Something that’s made sure that I hold my head high and keep going (besides my tattoo) is a song I never really gave much though to until this chronic illness hit me. And I know that it’s not what it was written for but the words remain true.

Kelly Clarkson’s – Stronger

“You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I’d come running back
Baby you don’t know me, ’cause you’re dead wrong”

“what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Stand a little taller.”

Please go and listen to it and look at it from a point of view from someone who is going through a chronic illness or depression or anything else that takes a lot out of a person.

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Besides that: I’ve been thinking a lot about my writing and what I should do about it going forward.

I will never stop writing. It’s what I love and passionate about. Currently working on a new book that I’m still deciding whether it should be one book or more. I also have a couple ideas that I still need to do planning on. Hopefully I will soon have my plans straight in my head (future of my self-published work) which can still be bought, so please go support me.

My approach has always been that of Planner: where everything has been planned and you have the outline of the story down.

With my newest book I’m a Pantser: no planning and you just write without worrying about what will happen next. (stressful AF) However when I sit down to get my thoughts down about the story I end up writing more.

And then at times a Plantser: have idea and some key points written down but a lot is still unplanned.

I took part of NaNoWriMo again this year and was able to finish again (9th year) even though I had a loss in my family. But it’s something that propels me to keep writing even when I feel overwhelmed and as though I should just stop. And the support is just awe inspiring.

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I have a new kitty family member that has been keeping us busy. But it’s been nice. Something that has been keeping me a little more grounded and making sure I don’t completely lose myself in my own head. (And lots of laughs and giggles.) He wasn’t something I ever expected but it’s been one of the best surprise gifts I’ve ever received.

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With working from home, I’ve had a lot of time to listen to music and watch YouTube videos. Some informative and some that made me smile. And others that made me think. In this rabbit hole of youtube I found a youtuber that had me listening to his music almost non-stop as well as his live streams.

Corpse_Husband is not new to YouTube, having originally started as a horror story narrator. Recently though he’s started streaming Among us. He also makes the best music so give it a listen. He has been open about his health struggles and doesn’t shy away from the fact that he has chronic conditions. Listening to his channels has been keeping me from getting too deep into my own head (rabbit hole). And I honestly hope that his success only grows and that he keeps enjoying what he does. Keeping in mind the speed bumps along the way (chronic health issues) Twitter Also don’t ask him to reveal his face. Respect the fact that he wants to remain anonymous.

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At some point I’m going to have to write more blogs about all of the above. But that’s for another day. I’ll add a couple of pictures of kitten and other stuff from the past year.

So for now. Happy new year and lots of love and strength.