Two weeks ago I was walking through the woods with a friend and we spotted some of the first flowers of Spring, pushing their way forth. It brought a smile to both our faces.

Winter's behind and Summer's ahead. No matter how dark the world becomes, sunny days will always lie ahead.

I think I'm in a settled period. A lot of habits I started two years ago are starting to pay some serious dividends. I've gone the past year without having a serious episode, and I've stayed grounded during highly stressful periods. Feels like there's still a world of work to do, but I've never been so sane.

I managed to take care of all the dental work I needed, with some optional procedures being considered and budgeted for. I've kept up with my physical workouts even though the winter slowed them down a little. My knee and back don't hurt anymore, though occasionally I get the cold weather pressure in my knee. I've managed to recover most if not all of the physical damage I did to myself during my struggles with alcoholism. I'm pretty lucky, y'know?

I've got a few different spaces I can socialize in now. There's moments with my college friends, the River Goblins. We make time to hang out when we can and we do my DnD game every couple weeks. I've got the vampire LARP and all the wonderful folks there. I've got my goth and metal buddies who I see as often as I can. After a while of trying to build a social life, there is always somewhere for me to go.

I had a breakup. And it was fine. In the past, it was some of the worst hurt I've ever endured but I've managed to stay grounded and more importantly: to stay friends. It's nice to know I can still be with other people and find our own paths when we need to. I'm more than my relationships.

It's nice to feel alive again.

So what's next? I've managed to do well by my physical body and social life. There's plenty room for improvement though.

I'd like to read habitually again. I've been reading here and there, but it's challenging. I think it's important for me to read though, both as someone who would like to write more and as someone opposed to the de-intellectualizing of America.

I'm joining a local curling league next month with my dear friend Anna. I've wanted to be a part of it for so long, it's wild to finally be joining.

I've talked to my friend Caitlin about getting back into bouldering this summer. I stayed away from it 'cause of a few injuries I managed to get while drinking myself to death, but those injuries have healed and I miss it.

I would like to get back into armored fencing. I'll need to get a new pair of greaves and probably new gauntlets, but I miss that too.

And I've been wondering if maybe I should maybe take some of my focus I've let sit unused for a while and just get some IT certs. Don't know if I'm ready to accept myself as a professional productive member of society.

Like I said, there's no shortage of what I can do to keep improving. My happiest days have all been during times I was improving myself, and I think there's a lesson in that.

I look forward to Summer. I look forward to more flowers and walks through the woods with dear friends. I look forward to meeting new people and having good conversations that might change the course of history.

I look forward to sunny days.