Last updated: June 2025

The back half of 2024 and the first half of 2025 have been quite the journey for me.

That’s my best friend

It’s been almost a year since my best friend Arika passed away in July 2024. We’ve had our ups and downs as best friends do. But she was always there when I needed her, and I was there if she needed me. There aren’t enough words in the English language to fully enunciate how glad I am to have had her in my life, as brief as it was, because we’ve only known each other since high school, considering we just graduated yesterday. It’s still tough to stop myself from texting her to check in. I always liked to know she was there and listening to my nonsense, even if she couldn’t respond right away. We all deserve to have a friend like that, even if you only have one like that.

Depression is a bitch

As it were, I spent the rest of 2024 in a blur. I literally cannot tell you anything notable that happened. I’m sure I could piece together a semblance of a story if I looked at my phone’s camera roll.

But grief is a dogged ghoul, because it wasn’t enough to have lost Arika in 2024, I lost my soul dog Jack in 2023, and my dad in 2022. So, if someone were to look at that list and judge me for letting my grief-laden depression completely take me over in 2024, fisticuffs might be in their future.

In a dream, my love

May is when I realized my time at my previous employer was coming to a close, and I’m grieving that season of my life for what could have been.

Not only did I have to face that realization, but my siblings and I helped our mom navigate some serious health issues. The kind that requires immediate surgery. Like booking the less-sucky option to try and repair the problem on a Monday, but quickly realizing that major surgery is the only solution, and it will be completed that Friday.

The song in my heart

The week that I parted ways with my previous employer, I received two pieces of good news. One is that I earned a fee waiver for a Poets & Writers summer workshop for poetry. I didn’t think I would get it, but it came at the right time. And it was everything that I need to hear to get my big butt in gear. I’ve been sitting on this poetry collection for ages, and it’s time to share it with the world. No more excuses. Period.

I will wait to discuss the second piece of good news, because I don’t want to jinx myself. Wish me luck!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

I randomly submitted my information on the Coca-Cola Instagram to win a badass retro Sprite jacket several months ago. It arrived the day that I was let go. The smile on my face is no indication of my mental health at that moment. I was just really amped to have won something like that.

Squishy like putty

I’ve been following Emilie Wapnick for ages, but was never in the right situation to join the Puttyverse. She and the team put together a fantastic workshop called “Seen and Supported,” which took place the week after I was let go. I loved it.

The focus parties were so helpful to keep my mind occupied while I high-key grieved my loss. I had planned to attend most of the events, but finding your new normal only allows you to take on so much. It was great not to feel so alone.

So, I decided to officially join the Puttyverse! So excited to dive into the events and be with my people.

The opps

It’s no mistake that “opportunities” can be shortened to “opps,” because they certainly feel like an opp! However, I’m feeling good about a few jobs that I’ve applied to, so wish me luck in that area of my life. Send good vibes and help me manifest more good news.

Backup your files

I had thought I had safely backed up my files before a server move, and I didn’t double-check my work. And the ONE TIME that I didn’t, it turns out that my files never backed up.

So I’m rebuilding the entire Writeropolis Media network from the ground up. I’m putting in great effort to tap into my WordPress skills, so please be patient while I complete my work.

This is a low-key threat against Google Search Console, which frequently reminds me that the system can’t index my sites properly.

Yeah, thanks, I know.