My Top Songs 2020
Spotify Playlist
Spotify

Despite all the turmoil in the world this year, I have to say 2020 was one of the best years of my life - financially, creatively, and reflectively. I desperately yearned for a change, a break from the constant routine of capitalism that was absolutely draining my self-worth and my soul. Howbeit, none of us could've predicted COVID-19 would be the result to cause such change, but I am so glad it did in a way. Don't get me wrong, I am devastated about the loss so much of the world has witnessed, and I am livid with our government's lack of assistance. This year really brought out the hustler in everybody, and I figured that would be enough to wake people up, but unfortunately, so many are still blind to the corruption. And yet, we make due.

My initial goals were cut short because of the virus, and there was no choice but to update them.

Goals Break Down

Practice Asking Enticing Questions

This objective was always in the back of my mind with every conversation I had, but I really didn't get into it until the end of the year - thanks to Best Self's card decks. Ideally, I wanted to ask people these questions, but after examining the decks, it felt more appropriate for me to ask myself these questions in a reflective manner and journal about them. This may just be the best decision I've made because I've never been able to articulate my thoughts so congruently. It helps me understand my frame of mind more and helps me connect with other people who may be going through something similar.

Journal Every Day

Speaking of journaling, I purchased a 60-day journal mid quarantine to keep a routine going, and it really made me fall in love with writing. Here's a little video clip of my final review on it.

Learn How to Skateboard

This was the most fun I've had in a while, learning how to skateboard. I hadn't laughed at myself quite like this in a long time, and it felt useful to connect with my younger self, especially when the skateboard would fly out from under me and soar into near-by bushes. While I stumble around, looking to see who saw me wipe out, I'd immediately laugh along with other people who saw me. They'd give me some little encouragement, and I was on my way.

A delightful moment after I ate shit was when I was crossing the Venetian; I bombed it in front of a family of five in the middle of the street cause I was skating in the bike-lane. The dad came over to help me up while his kid grabbed my skateboard. They helped me to the sidewalk, and the dad hands me my board, "Hey, are you ok? My son falls off of his all the time, I always tell him, you just gotta get back on there." In some other reality, I was instantly five again. It felt so surreal. I thanked him and his family and skated my way to work to start my morning.

Learn More Spanish

I promise you; I learned absolutely no Spanish this year. Except for working at the hotel, I learned a few specifics, like asking if rooms are cleaned. But not near as much Spanish as I was hoping to learn. I still have very high hopes of being bilingual one day.

Adapt to Home Workouts

I believe I was quite ok at this. I never was a gym person anyway, so this felt right for me. I'd start most of my mornings with stretches and meditation. Later in the day, I'd pick up my weighted jump ropes or go for a five-mile bike ride. After about three months, my body was more toned. Looking back on that, I genuinely enjoyed home workouts and should make it more of a habit.

Weekly Illustration Quotas

Thanks to COVID, I knocked this outta the park. I drew more this year than three years of grad school. Every day I was working through compositions and combining items I had never thought to crossover. My color collages come to mind, where I mix and match mundane elements and exaggerate their qualifications. The yellow one is a personal favorite, but the red one feels so powerful! I'm going to enjoy working on these into the new year.

Thanks to Kinktober, I had daily prompts that kept me busy. I'm grateful I was able to make that series before Instagram started their sexual censorship ban. The most significant moment for creating this series was exploring compositions. I wanted my work to expand somehow; I didn't have specifics, but I'm proud of the result - a stronger sense of narrative. Not only did I create a glimpse into a scene, I believe my writing with each piece sold it as well. Unfortunately, it all had to be deleted from Instagram - too afraid of having my entire account deleted by the censorship purge.

Here’s to the New Year

As always, no words! I'm just gonna share my goals and let it be. I love y'all, now go love yourselves.

2020 Recap