Post Seasonal Blues

Well, the holidays are over, and it's time to put away the decorations and all the giddy expectations that the holidays bring. This always makes me sad; I dread the day that I'm packing it all up. With it go memories of families laughing, scrumptious food and candies, gifts being torn out from shiny, bright paper, Perry Como and the Ray Conniff Singers' holiday albums, and a bunch of fa-la-las. Next comes the bitter cold and gray days of January and February. It's safe to say that Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I'm always slightly depressed when its conclusion is prevalent.

I have been absent from a full-time position of teaching art now for approximately nine months. It has not been an idle time; it has been filled with creating art, subbing at my local all-boys private school, putting together this website, and a handful of art fairs. I've loved it all, but I'm not necessarily making money right now unless I'm at an art fair. My website has generated exactly zero dollars, and that is discouraging considering the time and money that I've poured into it. Alas, I know nothing happens overnight, and this will be a season of patience and continuing to put each foot forward, one step at a time. Do a little something every day.

I would be remiss not to mention that this season has brought a death in the family, which was a huge blow. My aunt was truly the matriarch of our family and my second mother, if I had to name one. She was always there for me when it mattered. I was fortunate to be with her during her passing, along with other family members, surrounding her bed. What an extremely emotional experience, but I feel blessed to have been included.

It's not the only thing that has me blue this season. When others in my family fail at things in life, it transfers that pain to me as well, the empath of our family. It comes with its share of heaviness because I get it all. If only I could fix things for others, but I know I can't do that. People have to walk through their own lessons, but that is so hard for me to watch.

In conclusion, 2026 is something that I'm excited for. 2025 has been a "meh" kind of year. I walked away from full-time work and a great benefits package, ended a toxic friendship, started a small business, and watched my son graduate from high school and go off to college. So, triumphs and heartaches. I choose to raise my glass to this upcoming year to be a kick-ass year with more lessons to learn, mountains to climb, and an explosion of coming into my own. Maybe even a little glow-up.