Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine making art for a living. Not that it’s paying the bills just yet, but hey, it’s all about that positive mindset, right?

Growing up surrounded by anxious souls, I’ve got my own little flame of anxiety burning inside me. It’s a tricky balance, keeping it alive but not letting it blaze out of control. Lately, though, it’s been trying to break free. Every new challenge fans the flame, and doubts turn it into a bonfire. What if this doesn’t work out? What if I mess up? What if people hate my art? What if I’m not even a good artist? What if I accidentally commit tax fraud and end up in jail? (That last one’s legit—taxes in the US are a labyrinth)

In a bid to shield myself from disappointment, I’d been dragging my feet on launching my website. I figured if I never published it, I couldn’t be disappointed by nonexistent sales. But finally, I gave myself a deadline and hit “publish.” The response from friends and family was overwhelmingly positive, and I’m so grateful for their kindness. Their support has given me the boost of confidence I needed, and I’m now more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward.

We’re still settling into our new house. It’s week three, and a few unpacked boxes are still scattered about. But not the kitchen—oh, the kitchen is my happy place, and I use it daily. I’m saving all my recipes in my Notion app for now, but I’d love to handwrite them someday. Our favorite meal this month? A killer steak with Caesar salad.

The cats have made themselves right at home and adore exploring the backyard. I was a bit nervous at first (big shocker), worrying they’d get stuck, lost, hunted, or abducted. But they’ve deftly avoided all dangers and are quite cautious. They love it so much that whenever we bring them inside, one tries to sneak out while we’re handling the other two.

Anyone who knows me also knows I love reading and rave about my Kindle being the best purchase of the decade. I’ve always been a physical book girly and still am, but thanks to some Kindle magic, I read faster and more often because it’s so portable. This doesn’t apply to my current read, though. A Little Life is anything but a quick read. I got influenced online to read it, and now partially regret it. It’s a heavy, intense book with vivid, traumatizing content - hats off to Hanya Yanagihara for her storytelling abilities. But I have a rule: I must finish every book I start. So, I’m powering through and can’t wait to return to my usual novels.