2023 didn’t just pass over me — it stomped all over me, thoroughly and with enthusiasm. So much so that by the end of it, I almost ended up in a psych ward (or worse). Naturally, I had neither the strength nor the inspiration for art — and I think you can tell from the timeline of my drawings in the chart ^^'

Here’s the main thing I’ve learned: take care of yourselves, guys. Your health — both physical and mental. Don’t bottle things up. Don’t try to digest it all on your own. And don’t be afraid to seek help (from competent professionals!) when you feel like you can’t handle things anymore.
Protect your little cuckoo clock — your mind.
Don’t be like me.

The good stuff:
✨ I pulled through. I’m in therapy now, feeling much better — calmer, kinder, braver, and more open. There’s still a long way to go with the meds, but the progress is real.
🌱 A lot of positive changes happened in my personal life. Honestly, it feels like this tough, messy year became a turning point — a beginning of something freer, quieter, and more meaningful.
🐈‍ Our family got a new cat-son. The dumbest one yet, but oh so loved.
🐂 I listened to myself, dug deep, sorted things out... and finally decided to change my fursona. Yep. Now I’m a cow. (See pinned post.)
💫 Along with that, I decided to go through what someone called a rebranding. New name, new signature, new page title. A new me.
🧡 After all these years, I finally visualized a very, VERY important human character of mine — Jane. She was originally created for my Extreme Ghostbusters fanfics. And now I can finally commission art with her.
🌌 I got to take part again in Animation Calendar, dedicated, to dragons from various animated films — I finished a big, beautiful (well, I think beautiful!) illustration.
🎶 I returned to making music and recording songs — reunited with my old musician friends after 10 years apart.

The final nasty surprise 2023 had for me was our New Year’s trip to Kislovodsk being canceled just a day before departure.
But we took it in stride — bought a tree, cooked tons of delicious food, ordered two huge cakes, and in a day and a half pulled together our own little holiday with blackjack and tangerines. As they say — where there’s a will, there’s a way!
So instead of climbing snowy mountains, I spent New Year’s cozy at home in my axolotl kigurumi, gaining winter fluff, sipping good coffee, and growing creepy little succulents :3
That’s how it went, my friends.

Thank you for staying with me through this rough year! For your help and support — in words and in deeds. For not forgetting.
Thank you, my dear ones, my people, my crew ❤
Without you, there wouldn’t be me — or this warm little community.
Love you.
Hugs.