About a month ago, one of my patients and I were talking about creative writing and I mentioned that I have a blog but I don’t write in it as often as I would like to. She challenged me to write at least once a month and publish a blog post. So, here I am writing my first post of 2026. I was looking for some kind of quote or song lyric to base my writing off of, and there were a couple that I was going between so I am going to use more than one. 

It seems fitting to start with this one as it is technically for the end of a year. 

“As the new year draws near, it’s a great time to reflect and be grateful for the adventure of life.”

One of my mottos in life is to find the adventure in life. It is so easy to get stuck in daily routines and go on auto pilot without looking at the new and beautiful things around. It also becomes difficult at least for me when I am done with work or off on the weekends to want to go out and do anything. I am very grateful for the adventures I had in 2025. Here are a few of them:

• Dominican Republic mission trip with Mission of Hope International
• Multiple moves and exploring new places
• New friends
• CFO camps in NH and TN
• Now in Cleveland with a great OT job

There are so many more. There were also events that happened in 2025 that I would love to forget, but they were technically all part of the learning curve and with the help of friends and my therapist, I made it through. 

I am looking forward to new adventures this year. Some of those include growing in my career, forming new community, settling in my new apartment later this month, exploring new places, and so much more. 

The other quote that I found is: 

“Change is truly the only constant in our lives. Every single person grows and evolves each day. As you enter the new year, think about the changes you hope to see in the next 364 days and then find little ways to make them happen.”

Change has always been a constant in my life since I was young. All of the change has brought me to where I am today personally and professionally. I am ready for a little less change this year as I am settled in a permanent/non-travel job and have signed a 12-month lease on a condo. However, I know I still have a lot of growing to do as I continue to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I remind myself quite often though that change does not have to happen all at once. It can be small tip toes or larger steps, but not climbing the whole mountain in one leap. 

As I end, what adventures are you grateful for and/or looking forward to? What changes do you hope to see and what steps do you need to take to make them happen?

Quotes taken from: https://www.lovetoknow.com/quotes-quips/holiday/90-new-year-quotes-that-inspire-welcome-new-beginnings

Here are a couple pictures from Christmas with my family. All 7 of us siblings were together with significant others and children along with my mom for the first time in 6 years!

Top row: Nick, Shaquille, Mom, Patricia, Will, Joseph
Middle: Kali, Eric, Charlotte, Calla, Ashley
Right front: Me, La’Cherrie, Chloe
Left Front: Jeffrey, Johanna