End of Year Rambling and Moving Forward

Hello guys! 

So this first part is gonna be sort of mushy, so please feel free to hold out for the second part if you'd like to skip the sappy introspection and get to the specifics of upcoming Patreon/Berry Bazaar updates x)

The second part will go up a little bit later since I'll be taking a short breather after posting this (writing these big ones always takes it out of me hooboy) <3

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I hope you all have been having a fantastic few weeks~ I always say that I hope everyone gets to spend at least a little bit of quality time with their loved ones during the Holidays, and I continue to think it's one of the most important things you can do to close out your year peacefully. It's so easy to get carried away with stress around this time, even I get a little crazy despite not having to plan for hectic visits between relative's houses and buying a million gifts for family and friends (my circle is very small).

I just hope that everyone found at least a few moments here and there to really enjoy themselves without worrying about anything else. I know for me, one of my favorite things we did this month was drive around the neighborhood a few blocks down from where we live. The Christmas decorations were INTENSE man, they were not playing around xD. I think I'd mentioned to you guys before that for a looong time I'd lived in some very not "nice" neighborhoods - I don't think police cars count for festive lighting for example. It was incredible being surrounded by so many cheerful decorations, twinkling lights, and people out on the sidewalk at night that didn't look like they were selling drugs xD;;  (we actually even saw carolers! I honestly didn't think people did that anymore). The experience, though relatively brief, was a really special moment for me because it was a span of time where I wasn't thinking about anything other than being appreciative of where I was in the moment and enjoying the sights that my boyfriend and I were experiencing together. These are the kinds of moments I hope that people give themselves. Some peace of mind to help start a brand new year with a bit of clarity.

Look I can't help it, the end of the year always makes me a sappy mess, I can't remember ever not being this way. But the last few years have been absolutely crazy to me, and each time I sit here writing a year end address to everyone it feels like I've come a million miles. 

I guess I just want to say thank you, again, to you guys for being here, sticking it out even when I know people get frustrated with me (I frustrate myself too trust me). I'm working on it, I promise you. Your support, your kindness, your friendship, those things have helped me improve so much, and I can't even begin to express the magnitude of how grateful I am. I started out in adoptables when I was already eyeball deep in debt and overdue projects and I've slowly been untangling myself by the skin of my teeth, and only because I've had the support of an incredible group of people. 

I have some changes coming to my schedule, and to the way I manage my worklist, so even as I am still very behind I am always optimistic that I will get to the point where there is no queue, and I can work freely, getting art to you guys without the wait. It's just a matter of time and consistency, both of which are things that I continue to work on managing better and better. I stalled out a bit toward the end of the year (I think this happens to me every year- feels kinda like a slow motion system reboot lol) But especially with the help of the new Berry Bazaar mods, things are starting to move more smoothly. Thank you so much to Mowen, Starbask, and kali for their hard work, seriously I'm not sure how I managed not to go crazy before they joined. Being open enough to actually hire mods to help me was actually a really big step for me personally. Not being compelled to do everything myself is a hard habit to break. (Perhaps the team will grow next year as we continue to expand the group activities!) Fingers crossed that come the new year we'll hit the ground running-- there are so many things in the works right now that I think you guys are going to love! And I want to be able to bring them to you without having to worry about whether I'm putting off owed work to do it. That is always my priority.

So once again, I want you all to know that I am always thinking of my commitment to my supporters, to my commissioners, to my friends. The community that has built itself around my little fantasy world is probably the most amazing thing I'll ever have a hand in creating, and I will always treasure it. I will always do my best to keep it alive and healthy <3.

And I hope you guys will be right there with me moving forward.