Inspired by longtime internet buddy Adri, who done did a similar thing on her tumblr. And because it's good to go back and revisit these things briefly.
So, it's the twenty-'leven. Let's pause and briefly look at the twenty-ten just before we move on to the new hotness.
2010, for me, started off more craptastically than I think any year of my life ever has. I was a couple months out of a relationship and the breakup was still hitting me hard. I was about a year out of college and was starting to really feel it--I was missing campus life in a big way and my college friends felt further away than ever. I had yet to start truly disliking my little retail job, but I was still less than thrilled with it, especially given that at this point, I had no direction beyond it. I knew I wouldn't be working there forever (at least, I hoped not), but what lay ahead jobwise was completely uncertain. I was doing absolutely nothing with my English degree, that was for sure, since I had decided not to become a teacher and hadn't really pursued any options beyond that. Not knowing how I was going to get out of the temporary job--that was the scary bit.
Spring brought Emerald City Con--the best Emerald City Con, in fact, that I'd ever been to. I got to interview some web comic artists I appreciate, and while E-triple-C always rekindles my love of comics, whethere its been dimmed that year or not, this year I felt was especially potent for really reminding me why I love that medium so dearly. Taking my best friend along helped immensely too.
Towards the end of spring was the tiny epiphany that would ultimately make the second act of this year turn out substantially better than the first--deciding to continue my education with a second degree, specifically one in graphic design. After substantial research of the colleges offering programs in my state, I found that one of the best programs happened to also be the closest one to me--offered by the same place I got my Associate's from, no less, adding a sort of poignant returning-to-a-prior-time feel. The time window between deciding to validate graphic design as a career path for me and signing up for my first round of courses was very brief, almost impulsive, and I would be starting late summer. Things were starting, overall, to look up a little.
Summer brought my second trip to London, which I think was very good for me--as a means to relax, to experience some new scenery...I really felt on vacation there; it was soothing to my mental state and the first time that year I felt really, truly relaxed for any significant length of time. London worked its magic to unwind me a bit. It was also post-London that I grew a small beard, a good way to achieve a slightly different look without altering much; something else I think I needed.
The real turnaround from the year's sucky beginnings, though, was the start of the classes. I'm someone that actually enjoys being in school if the subject is interesting me, and this time around was no different. I actually felt like I was supposed to be there--I was provided with insightful teachers and a big sense of hope about my future. My art's been steadily improving again. I know not to repeat a lot of the networking and knowledge mistakes I made back in University--I'm going to keep good solid connections with my instructors and use whatever resources I can, towards the end, to try and land myself a job in a related field.
So, things have been going uphill from there. There's still plenty to improve--for example, I'm still working retail, and would like to live in an apartment somewhere as opposed to my current situation--but I'm learning things, I have direction, I'm building valuable skills, I've finally grown comfortable being single once more, and, most importantly, I really, truly feel like I can do this. I can finally move forward again. I've got a lot of help and support from friends old and new, a head full of ideas, and perhaps now, the audacity to actually execute said ideas.
Get over here 2011, and give me a hug. I think you're gonna be a good one.
[Holden Out.]
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