Since I work from home so often, it can be tough to separate “work time” and “free time.” The lines tend to blur, and before I know it, I’m still answering emails or handling work tasks during what should be my downtime. To help create a more balanced day, I decided to try something new and pick up a hobby. I’ve never been one for hobbies, but it’s always good to try something new. I stumbled upon a bracelet-making kit, and, well, I couldn’t resist giving it a go.

Yes, I meant what I did: “Hail Satin.” 😄 I wonder how many people will read something entirely different. Totally wasn’t what I was going for.

I’ve been thinking about other fun hobbies I could take up to mix things up and break up my day a bit. I’ve actually tried my hand at knitting before, so I was considering picking it up again. There’s something so relaxing about watching a simple project come together, one stitch at a time. But I’m also curious about crochet; I’ve heard it’s similar but with a different technique, so maybe I’ll give that a go too.

Here’s me, always representing the best. If you ask me to name 3 Dope songs, get ready for me to talk about them for the next hour.

As I mentioned on social media, I hit a wall of massive burnout around November and December last year. Let me be clear: it wasn’t anyone else’s fault but my own. For a while, I struggled to put it into words, but I can see it clearly now for what it was.

When I released that blog post about my experience with the far right, I never imagined it would resonate the way it did. I was just another shitposter on Threads, someone cracking jokes and talking politics. (I still am, for the record!) If my story helped you, or continues to help you, I’m deeply grateful for that.

But over time, my online presence started to feel… confined. It was like I’d been boxed into this one painful and complicated chapter of my life. That became the thing people associated me with, and it began to overshadow everything else I wanted to create.

I stopped making the kind of content that actually excited me: on Threads, Bluesky, this very site, TikTok, or anywhere else. Instead, I found myself churning out posts on the same subject, not because I wanted to, but because I felt like I had to. It wasn’t an expectation from others, it was an expectation I’d placed on myself. I had built this identity around a niche, and suddenly it felt like stepping outside of it might disappoint people who followed me because of my experience and insight.

Once you feel stuck in that box, it’s hard to imagine stepping out of it. I found myself asking, “What if no one cares about what I have to say outside of this? What if I’m only valuable because of this one thing I’ve shared?” It’s a really limiting feeling for someone who LOVES content creation. And in trying to meet those imagined expectations, I started to lose touch with the parts of myself that wanted to explore, create, and have fun again.

Honestly, even as I write this, I realize how silly it sounds. But in the moment, it didn’t feel silly at all. It felt overwhelming and isolating, like I’d lost sight of who I was beyond that one story. It’s strange how something you thought was empowering can slowly become a weight you’re carrying again without realizing it.

So, what could I do? The answer, as it turned out, was surprisingly simple: I took a step back. I let myself breathe. For a month, I didn’t worry about Substack or any of my usual platforms. It helped that I have a full-time job outside of content creation: this wasn’t a life-or-death decision. It was about reclaiming my mental space and figuring out what I actually wanted to say, not what I felt obligated to say.

I also spent that time reflecting on the kind of content I truly wanted to create. Sharing my experience is important to me (it always will be), but I realized that I don’t have to share it everywhere. Threads, for instance, isn’t the right place for deep dives into my past or detailed insights. It’s a platform designed for quick, bite-sized interactions, and trying to tackle complex questions in such a limiting format was wearing me down.

It wasn’t just the format, though. It was the underlying feeling that I needed to be this endless source of solutions for people, a well of answers that never ran dry. That kind of expectation, even when it’s something you’ve placed on yourself (which I 100 percent did), can be crushing. I started to feel like I wasn’t allowed to have boundaries, like I always had to be “on” and ready to respond.

Over time, that pressure drained me, not just of energy, but of creativity and joy. It’s exhausting to feel like your value is tied to constantly fixing things or offering insights, especially when you’re not giving yourself the same care and attention. Letting go of that expectation was liberating. It didn’t mean I stopped caring or wanting to help; it meant I finally allowed myself to prioritize my own balance and well-being. And honestly, that first step of saying, “I don’t have to carry this all the time,” was exactly what I needed to start finding my way back.

My Threads is slowly returning to what I always intended it to be: comedic takes on politics, lighthearted glimpses into my life, and, of course, pictures of my cats. It feels good to reclaim that space and let it be fun again.

For the deeper, more serious stuff (like my dives into the far right) I’ve decided Substack is the better home. Honestly, I’m probably going to move my big blog post about that topic over there soon. It just feels like the right fit for content that requires more nuance and space to breathe.

This site, meanwhile, will be what I originally envisioned: a place for fun updates, creative projects, and whatever sparks joy.

It wasn’t easy to step back, but doing so helped me rediscover the joy in creating and reconnect with the version of myself I want to bring to these platforms. Looking back, I realize that hitting that wall was necessary. It forced me to reevaluate not just how I approached content creation, but also how I approached myself: what I valued, what I wanted, and where I was willing to set boundaries.

I’m excited to keep experimenting, to create without pressure, and to let each platform reflect the parts of me that feel authentic. It’s a journey, but it’s one I’m glad I’ve started.

♫: Secunda LoFi 
🍵: Sparkling water
😊: Feeling fine

I retooled my layout a bit. It features Eve 6, a band I adore and gatekeep way too much. If you’re looking for a band to obsess over, 10/10 would recommend. Most people know them from Inside Out because that was a massive hit in the 90s, and that’s a great song. But tbh, hyper relevisation is my comfort album. If you see me out and about with my airpods in, I’m probably listening to that. I know, I listen to things other than Dope? Scandal! Seriously though, hyper relevisation is an amazing album. Check it out when you have the chance.

Speaking of album reviews, I know I need to get on with reviewing every Dope studio album ever. Next up is Group Therapy, and I’m not mad about that at all. It’s in my top three Dope albums for a reason. It’s just that I’d been a bit burnt out, so writing’s been the last thing I’ve wanted to do. I don’t know that I have any advice to give in how to get over burnout. I think I’m still figuring it out myself. I’ve been trying to vary my interests, and get into some new things. Sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected places. Sometimes, it emerges when you realize how far you’ve come.

A friend recently asked me to return to a community I left for my mental health: Star Wars Galaxies. Back in the day, SWG was my escape when things were rough. It gave me a sense of community and a break from reality when I needed it most.

But here’s the thing: sometimes you have to realize when something that’s helped you before isn’t doing you any good anymore. For me, Star Wars Galaxies turned into something I needed to leave behind to take care of myself. I’m thankful for the things I learned as staff and for the people I met, but I had to step away from the toxic vibes in the community. People saw it when the game was live, and it’s still present today. Not everything will be in your life forever. Sometimes, you just need to move on. And that’s okay. As long as you’re moving *towards* something.

I may return. I may never play again. I guess what I’m trying to say is, sometimes inspiration even comes from revisiting the past. And re-affirming that you’re never going back. Ever. (Thanks, Kamala <3)

A lil rambly blog about things I learned in my annus horribilis. (Well, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. But it wasn’t the best year by any means.) That being said, looking at myself this time last year compared to now? I’m much happier. I learned a few truths between now and then: some stuff I wish I learned sooner. I’ll share a few with you.

People will ALWAYS tell on themselves.

• As Maya Angelou once said: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” This is for better and for worse! People who are really your people will seek to show you that whenever they can. Love them with all your heart. They’re the real ones. Those who aren’t your people? They’ll show that, too. The mask always drops eventually.

If it’s actively harming you… you aren’t getting a medal for staying.

• A few months ago, I left a job at somewhere that shall remain nameless. For a long time, it was everything I needed. Until … it wasn’t. I was surrounded by people who actively resented me, communication was basically zero, and between the gaslighting and the harassment, I was pretty much miserable. I stayed a lot longer than most people would have expected. Until one day, it dawned on me: what the hell did I think I was doing, exactly? Ruining my mental health for a thankless job, among people who wouldn’t give me the time of day even if they were actively looking at their watch. I’m thankful for the experience and always will be, but when it’s time to go it’s time to go. It might be hard to say goodbye when it’s something that was once important to you, but trust: you will be better off for it. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is worth your mental health and self respect.

I don’t drink enough water

• There’s nothing profound about this one. Just a fact. I’m trying to be better, though.

Also, I’m actively looking for things that enrich and delight me! I’ve been loving looking at these websites with cute pixel artwork. It’s exactly what you think.

Also also… have a cat. You ever get jealous of the way cats can sleep so soundly? I do. Boy, do I ever.