Well... firstly it has been a year hasn’t it! I am going to avoid looking at the state of the world as a whole though and more focus in on my little silly part of it (^. .^) Honestly think I am properly writing this more for myself, so if you do happen to read through it my thanks sweetie.

Lows and challenges, plenty! Still procrastinating on so many things like learning to drive, sorting out more for my health and sooo many projects at home and on online I told myself I was going to do. Writing stories, getting back into the chatbot, learning more things for streaming, VR and maybe even learning to pose 3d models to make renders. Learnt a fair bit about neurodiversity do believe a good deal of my paralysis on starting certain tasks or having an all or nothing energy approach might be linked back to that, so giving myself a bit more kindness and understanding with that.

Weight is still terrible so health along with that, actually had some good progress but then as always has happened, slowly but surely it came back and better new habits faded for the old comfy ones again. Honestly think some of my biggest shame when it comes to promised tasks and set goals I failed on is getting more support for my other half. Some down to hitting brick walls with support and medical services, but others because the tasks often slip from my mind and only sneak back in when I am not in a position to attack them so things get delayed further and further.

At one or two points this year things were extremely challenging, work had me wanting to throw in the towel, and those I care the most for were suffering so much and I felt like I was either powerless or letting them down, the feeling of exhaustion became a frequent companion in 2025.

However... honestly... there were some amazing highs!

I think my understanding and resilience toolkits in a few areas have grown well. The house is looking even nicer. Some of the habits even if currently asleep for winter have stuck around a bit. We went to some wonderful places and conventions, saw and hung out with some wonderful people and have some incredible trips away. Online wise there has been wonderful support from friends and yumyums who have made us laugh, cry and feel all warm and snugly (along with plump and round sometimes XD). Great games, fun streams, wonderful chats, nice RPs and got out paws on even more wonderful art from some very talented people.

Our minds often will focus on the negative, remember the one bad experience over the 8 normal ones and 1 positive one. I am pretty sure we do this in hopes that focusing on that will protect us from it in the future, but often it ends up pinning and caging us in a negative space. Reflecting, journaling, sharing or just writing about the things we have done, seen, experienced and got that made us smile really can make such a big difference in the long run, and I do feel, even though this year had some scary drops and lows, the highs outweigh them so I am thankful for another loop on this silly orb going around the sun.

So next year? Life has taught me I am bad at sticking to plans, making new habits and enacting big change even if it’s really beneficial or I want to, so New Year resolutions aren’t a thing for me. That said there are a few things I have planned and am looking forward to that are giving me hope for 2026 already. I have a job interview at the end of January, wouldn’t be a quick change if I got offered the job, but would be a real shake up for me and hopefully healthier for both my body and mind. We already have a few conventions marked out and booked in for to see some amazing fluffy friends through the year which I am super excited for (^. .^) Got plans to start running my next RPG after stagnating and waiting around far too long without running any. I have a reasonable goal and plan to help my fitness a little by pushing myself to play more VR each week and ensure I am standing for them – also to avoid this meaning I am not being social during gaming time as wouldn’t have a keyboard, I will be looking to hang out in discord voice calls (either on my server or friends) which might help refill some social energy and reconnect with some yumyums I don’t spend enough time with. I have some plans and tasks I can action which might help the other half with their health, mind and journey to, and seeing them smile more often would be the greatest reward and prize of all. I feel more committed to some goals and change, but am approaching them with more stability and reasonable expectations in mind, and am really looking forward to just spending more time with the awesome people that make up this community and my friend groups and hopefully expanding on those as well.

Not everything will go to plan, and of course there will be challenges and dips ahead, but I am going to be waddling forwards with my chin held high, tail wagging and a thankful song in my hearts for this chance to experience more. Thank you to each and everyone of you who interacted with me this year, who made or shared content I enjoyed, who worked hard behind the scenes making sites, servers and events possible and spent their time and energy making this world a more fun, kind, interesting and scrumptious place to exist.

Things are seldom perfect, but that doesn’t detract from their value or how much we can appreciate them, so although fluff me were there some rough patches, thank you for 2025, and everyone I was involved with during it! Claws crossed 2026 will be even better and can’t wait to see you sweeties there.

Loads of luv, snugs, slobbery licks and playful nibbles.
Umi x