It's been a while. A long while. For those who've been wondering where I've been, I've been on a journey. A deeply personal one. At the beginning of last year, life took an unexpected turn, and it brought on a lot of pain. I disconnected from social media, and for the most part, from the world at large. The pain was immense and still lingers heavy.

I won't go into the specifics, but let's just say life threw a curveball. It was a period of change, of reflection, and some very difficult times. But through it all, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I discovered a resilience I didn't know I had. I got stuck-in on a passion that had been buried under the weight of everyday life. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve grown. I have grown into a human that can feel pain and it’s reminded me that I’m alive and how alive I really am.

This time away wasn't easy. There were moments of loneliness, of doubt, and of feeling completely lost. But there were also moments of profound peace, of clarity, and of a renewed sense of purpose. I spent time in nature, I’ve done plenty of things that have challenged me, and I reconnected with the things that truly bring me joy.

Now, I'm slowly starting to re-emerge. I'm not the same person I was a year ago, and that's okay. I think I’m stronger, more self-aware, and I believe that I have a clearer vision of what I want my life to be. I'm excited to reconnect with all of you, to share my experiences (when I'm ready), and to start this next chapter.

This Substack (newsletter/blog/etc) is one small step in that direction. I'm not sure what it will become – a place for my thoughts, my creative endeavors, or simply a way to stay in touch. But I'm looking forward to finding out.

Thank you to those who reached out during my absence. Your messages of support meant the world to me. And thank you to everyone for being here.

More to come…