A happy new year, assuming you live in a part of the world using the Gregorian calendar! 🎉 In either case a happy day to you! And since I always like learning about other cultures I would be delighted to learn when and how your country celebrates the new year 😀

Now to the 2025 review. I started this blog in July 2025 as part of a two month PACT to try out this concept. I had no expectations and no specific goals. At that time I also didn’t exactly know what I was going to write about 😅
Half a year later, there are over 150 published posts. Most of them in the category “poetry” (85) followed by “weekly review” (26) and “wordplay” (14). The currently top three most frequent used tags are “life” (30), “haiku” (24) and “observation” (17). With over 260 likes, resulting in a big hearty THANK YOU! 🥰
Never even in my wildest dreams did I imagine such an amazing outcome, when I started this blog. You really blew my mind here 🤯 🥳

As for the evaluation, not only does creative writing help me vent frustration, it also gives me an opportunity to play around with words resulting in the occasional fun and nonsensical post. Additionally, the blog gives my non-digital creative works a platform for a wider audience, like my beadworks or pictures. Although at the time of this writing there is just one picture 🤔

Proceeding to a quick outlook for the year 2026. I don’t intend to write a “to-do” or “what to expect” list. Instead I write a list of things interesting to explore, which might or might not happen over the course of the next year. And to make this even more interesting, I’m thinking about comparing this list with what actually happened in the review for 2026.
So, here is what intrigues me to explore over the next 12 months, in no particular order:

• writing short stories and thus expanding my repertoire
• sharing more non-digital creative works
• learning how to use Inkscape
• creating a logo for my website
• expanding the website beyond a blog
• finishing my study program
• learning how to use Krita
• creating digital artwork
• reading on average at least one book per month
• finishing at least one of my sewing projects
• crocheting and showing some amigurumi
• learning to code in Python
• learning wood burning while finishing another project that incorporates pyrographic elements
• in general having fun producing creative works, either digital or non-digital
• making PACTs when trying out new things

In summary, a lot happened over the last 6 months and I expect there is more yet to come for this year 😁
Thank you for being with me on this wonderful, creative journey 🥰 and I hope you continue to enjoy your visits in 2026.

There is no better date for a two month evaluation than the end of the year. Except when the months in question are in the middle of the year. Then it would be just the end of a month and not for a whole year. So, let’s see how these last two months were and what to make of it 😄

I’m still content with the headings for my weekly reviews. They give me an opportunity to pause and reflect and if necessary to take action for any course correction needed. 🧭 Again, I will keep them for the next two months and have another evaluation at the end of February 2026.
On a side note, while looking for a ship emoji depicting an old wooden ship with sails I could use in the paragraph above – why doesn’t this emoji exist? – I found an UFO emoji. And since I can’t think of anything warranting such an emoji right now but also feel an urge to use one, because it is an UFO emoji, I place it right here 🛸

My current publishing routine with a weekly review on Sunday and creative content from Monday through Thursday works quite well for me. Therefore I also see no need for adjustments right now.

For me writing is a way to deal with the stress that originates from my workplace and the fact that I simultaneously attend challenging study courses. It helps with processing the frustrations stemming from constant misgendering and other indignities I’m enduring at the office.
On a positive note 🎵, writing allows me to explore new styles and concepts. It lets me unleash part of my creativity, that has been bottled up for a long time. Also, it helps improving my English 😁

Thank you for joining me on this awesome journey 🚀🎆🪂