Dec 26, 2024: Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone reading this has been having a great holiday season! Since a lot of stuff in my life is kinda being put on hold and I haven't said much here, I thought it'd be nice to come and talk about how I feel about the holidays and this year's holiday season in particular.

So my holiday season usually isn't anything too interesting, since my family's pretty small it's often just my parents forcing me to meet with the rest of my family because "we have to for Christmas" so it's usually something I dread, they don't really get along and I'm not fond of my siblings so there's been a couple fights and all that stuff. It's something I'm not necessarily excited to go back to?

But these past few holiday seasons have been nice because I've been spending them with my bf's family instead, and they're super into Christmas, it's great. I am surprisingly, I think, not very social or good at talking to people in person, I really try to keep to myself unless I'm in a good mood, so things like a big Christmas party can be kinda hard for me to enjoy, but there's just been something nice about having this big gathering where everyone's enjoying themselves can can help me loosen up and have a good time even if I'm basically in the corner not saying much.

I found myself really enjoying the holidays this year! Our raid group has gone on break so everyone can enjoy their time without needing to worry about an extra time commitment or two to try to make, and while I do definitely miss them and have been talking to them regularly, I haven't necessarily felt lonely. I've been thankful to have some nice interactions with some family pets and people who are nice to me, or there's been some sort of distraction like a movie on the TV or a conversation on my phone I can contribute to if it's starting to feel kinda... awkward?

Christmas gifts were nice to receive as well! I know there's the whole thing of it being better to give gifts than receive them, and I do wish I was in a situation where I could get more gifts for people, there are a bunch of people I'd like to get gifts for or specific items I think would be nice to give to someone, and that's something I'm looking forward to in my future. I really appreciate the thought that I matter enough to someone for them to think of a gift for me, even if it's just because everyone else is getting one too or if they don't even know me or my tastes that well. It's helped me feel loved, especially by people who I'm not the closest with, and I dunno, I think that really means the most to me.

My birthday is coming up in just a few days, but I don't really have anything special for it. I sort of wish there was more that I could do to celebrate, or that I had something in mind for it, but I just don't really have any ideas. The end of December, being Christmas and my birthday and New Year's Eve, it all kinda just snuck up on me and it was already this late before I realized it. I think the past couple years or so have really blended together ever since I left the city, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. I don't think I'll feel any older this year either.

New Year's is coming up and I'm sure it'll be at least somewhat similar to last year's. A party, though not as big as Christmas, it'll probably be loud but fun, the countdown, maybe some drinks, and welcoming in the New Year with their family, and feeling warm at the thought that they'd like to have me around for another year.

The end of the year also means that I'll be compiling everything in my media thread on Twitter (that is, every video game, movie, anime, or manga I've played/seen/read this year) into a tier list (which is my first time doing that!) and I'll be talking about my absolute favourite video game, anime, and manga that I've experienced for the first time across this year. It's different from something like a "Game of the Year" since it's not just whatever released this year, it's just something that I personally experienced over this year. Kinda confusing to explain, I think. Either way, I've already decided on what I'm picking and some general thoughts on what I'd like to say about them, and I'm excited to reveal that and share my thoughts. Next year my media thread is coming to Bluesky so I can hopefully get it into people's sights, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of rambles here about the media I experience next year.

Again, I hope your holidays have been great! Whether it's a season you really enjoy, or if things aren't that simple, hopefully they've been a nice chance to relax and just enjoy whatever it is you love, or give/receive something really cool to/from someone.

I'm glad I could stop by and make this little ramble for the season! This site won't be so empty in the future and across the next year, I swear.

That's all for now!