2025 reflection

December 31, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

2025 could've been better in a lot of ways, but it still had its moments. I'm pushing myself to write a 2025 reflection even though I really don't feel like doing it. But for the purposes of documenting and having something to look back to, here we go.

Art

I think I got a bit burnt out from consistently drawing last year that I barely drew this year. I just needed a break from that process to feel excited about it again. I still got some artworks done though! I find a lot of comfort in going back to Elden Ring and making art of that world.

I've also been reviving some decades-old personal projects. The nostalgia feels good. It also makes me feel grounded to myself to work on something that's mine and mine alone. It's quite an interesting exercise building completely original scenes, but now with the new art knowledge I've gained through my year+ of making Elden Ring fanart. The great thing about doing fanart of Elden Ring is that every piece in a way is a study. Study of some really strong designs.

I'm not sure how I'll post the art I'm making for my original stuff. It definitely won't be under this alias though, even if I do post it. It feels good regardless, just to create something.

Gaming

I had just posted summaries of the games I finished this year. It isn't a lot, but I'm glad I got to finish a few games I've wanted to play for a while.

I'm still working through the original Elden Ring PC playthrough I started last year. Almost done the DLC. Elden Ring still feels like home to me, so I'll probably always have a playthrough going for it!

Nightreign released this year but I haven't played much of it. I can't really make good progress on it play it solo, and I don't really want to play with strangers. Also been too lazy to organize something with people I know. Maybe I'll come back to it in 2026!

Shows

  • Severance Season 2
  • House of the Dragons 
  • Black Mirror Season 7
  • The Pitt
  • All Her Fault

Miscellaneous

  • Traveled to China this year, which is definitely a highlight.
  • House sat for a friend for almost 3 weeks and almost didn't interact with anyone IRL, leveraging all my introvert powers.
  • Was pleasantly surprised by friends from the ER community reaching out to wish me happy holidays and offering to send postcards.
    • I didn't make new postcards this year, but still have some different designs I printed last year to send out.
  • Got a new gaming laptop so that I can game even when I'm not around my gaming PC tower.
  • I still did not install my music-making software, no music was made in 2025.
  • It's been one of the more emotionally turbulent years I've had in a long long time. But there is personal growth that came from that.

Looking forward

  • I'm starting to feel the motivation to draw again, so hopefully I'll get to do more of that next year.
  • Hoping to play more games that I've wanted to play for a while.
  • Will I finally make new music in 2026? TBD!