I’m a little late on this, but I still wanted to do one of the end-of-year lists that I’ve seen folks doing. I was busy in 2019. So busy.
Last year was, in truth, full of bullshit. Honestly, I thought that 2017 was my shitty year . . . But 2019 was, if not worse, just horrific in other ways.
But it was also amazing.
I have kept up posting to the blog (which has been a struggle of mine for some time now, as you may know); I wrote more poetry in 2019 than I have in my life up til this point (stay tuned for more on that later); I have found and continue to find love in the wildest, most insane places.
In short: Shit sucks, but it sucks less because life is beautiful, and I choose joy.
So, without further ado, here are all the things that have brought me joy this past year.
- This blog! I’ve kept up with posting regularly, more regularly than any previous years. I had my biggest day for views ever, and decided that the practice of writing (even short things) is worth the effort.
- I Became the Monster for Frankensteinteen and embraced my best self.
- Roam Literature — new online literary magazine created and realized with my friends Michelle and Eileen.
- The Journal of Dungeoneering for Hip and Attractive Professionals — new journal about tabletop gaming and nerd fashion with friend and colleague Alex G. Friedman. Stay tuned for more information on this!
- I read and wrote so much poetry this year. I fell in love this year — with myself, with words, with friendship. Oh my god all the poetry. I wrote about some of it on the blog, but here are some more just for good measure:
- “Language” by WJ Lofton
- “Boomerang Valentine” by Andrea Gibson
- “Cage” by Rigoberto Gonzalez
- “Nope Not Today” by Tina Cane
- “Happy New Year” by Sierra DeMulder
- A poem I wrote and published to this site: “Chirality, or, I asymmetrically create my body against genetics”
- I also wrote poems called “neurology, or, a safe space from the rain” and “elysian fields,” the latter of which I’m hoping to publish at some point.
- I worked on my novel. I know how to end it now, just gotta get there. NaNoWriMo wasn’t exactly a victory, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
- I’m coming into my own at work. I feel like I’m part of the team — and like I could see out my career here. I love writing and reading about technology, and I love learning new things. I’m going to learn how to code this coming semester! So pumped about it, and the opportunity is thanks to my job.
- I spent a lot of time with Soph and the Architect, and I think it was to my betterment. They’re two of my best friends, and being around them has made me want to pursue my own joy.
- In service to that joy, I have also made some decisions and grown personally. Some things are going to play out in 2020 that I think have been a long time coming. I’m ready to take steps to make myself happy.
- Also with Soph and the Architect, I am learning how to live stream and having fun cooking. I even was successful at making my gramma’s famous fudge recipe!
- I returned to Chicago — to the place I left in shame three years ago. I came back as a changed human, a person who is unashamedly looking for joy and happiness. I love that city. I’m going to get back there for a longer period, someday.
- And… I learned to knit and crochet in multiple ways. So get ready for Liz’s Cool Crafts Corner.
Here’s to more reading, more writing, more poetry, and more love in 2020. A toast for the new year and new things that will bring me joy.
Also, just for good measure:
Liz Makes Stuff 