2025 Review

2025 was a difficult year

I really struggled this year. I have a dynamic disability, and my needs drastically change from one year to the next, even from one minute to the next, so I never know what to expect. I plan, I set goals, I do all the things that I feel are expected of me, and then after a few days, I just do things my own way. Ideas get abandoned for a few months as I can barely leave the house, then they evolve and I suddenly find the motivation to work studiously on them for a few weeks. I think a project will go a certain way, and it never does. I put all my effort into one aspect of my life, only to be forced to abandon it a few months later. I navigate a maze that others often can't see, often without knowing what is around the next corner.

This year was a year of getting through the hard times. My art, my studies, and my life fell to the side for many months as I focussed on just getting through each day, one minute at a time. I struggled to navigate the systems that were meant to help me. To be perfectly honest, I can't remember a lot of this year. Maybe that is for the better.

Slowly, I have managed to get back to a point where I can manage things outside of just getting through the day. I always thought that these moments, of 'getting back to normal', were a sign that I was cured of my Madness, that life could now function as it had prior to the hard times. That is the narrative that ran through my head for many years. However, good intentions and 'goal setting' don't keep the bad times away. This year, my perspective has changed. Could I live a life where I know that the bad times will always come back and be okay with that? What if there never was a 'normal' part of my life? What if I use what I discover in the bad times in the good? What if I allow Madness and disability into the good times? What if I make room in my life for the ebb and flow of my support needs? Our world doesn't make a lot of space for bad times, for Madness and disability. Nonetheless, I want to try make that space for others.

There is still good in the bad

I am so proud of myself for the past year. Most importantly, I got through the year. I did some cool things, I made new friends, and I created things that felt important.

Most of my art this year has either been for myself or my community. I've barely painted plants, as much as I love them. I've allowed myself to explore new mediums, to create whatever creates a spark of interest in my mind. Slowly, I have been filling a sketchbook with watercolour paintings. I am really proud of some of the landscape pieces I created. I've created a variety of different collages, there is a growing collection of materials in my study. I have started to dive into the world of printmaking, starting with potatoes and ending the year with some brand new lino printing equipment. Occasionally you can find my creations on my Instagram page.

I have had a quiet year workwise; I haven't been able to manage much. My writing has been mostly for myself, and I have only put energy into a few advocacy efforts. Through the Bearded Dragon Gallery, I did have some artwork as part of their 'The Unspoken Flow' exhibition. As part of that exhibition, I sold painting at an auction, which was very exciting! My cards are still available for purchase, you can find them in couple of stores in Adelaide.

To further my advocacy skills and knowledge, I have started studying at university. I love learning, so even though it has been a bit adjustment to be back in university, I have really enjoyed my studies. I want to learn about how I can help my community, how I can lead and share my knowledge with others. University is never easy, but I am so proud of myself for trying.

What to expect in 2026

I have grand plans for 2026 that will likely never come to fruition. Isn't that the way goals go? On my good days, I have an exciting realisation for a wonderful new project, and on my bad days, I lay in bed thinking "Why on earth did I decide to do this?". In 2026, I am going to let my dreams be nothing more than that, ideas that would be nice. If I find a way to work towards them, then great. If not, oh well.

Of course, there are the things that I am fairly certain I will work on in the next few months. I have uni topics to complete, therapies to attend and a mountain of paperwork to complete, something that comes with a disability like mine. There are paintings to create, words to write, and creations to begin and abandon. I have good intentions about working on Creative Correa more, but only time will tell if I actually follow through.

In the past, I have kept my disability advocacy, my writing and my art fairly separate, but I have started a few projects that intertwine all three. My disability is such an important part of my life, and my creative pursuits allow me to say so much more than I am able to express verbally. I want to follow my ideas to completion, I want to feel like I have made a difference in other people's lives. There are some ideas that feel really special and important, and I really hope I can bring some of them to life.

Only time will tell what my future holds.