2024: Out With the Old?

I don’t really do “Year in Review” posts, much in the same way that I rarely make New Year’s resolutions. But as 2024 is winding down, it’s still wild to acknowledge an entire year has passed, and think, “Did I really do anything with all that time?”

Well… I survived, which sometimes is about the best one can hope for. And survival seems like it will be important as we in the U.S. head from 2024 into 2025–if you know, you know. But more than ever, in the post-pandemic world, my perception of time doesn’t feel as real as it used to. Days go by and that’s that. Before you know it, it’s the next month… and then suddenly it’s the next year.

There were a lot of things I did in 2024 related to content creation, special streams, watch parties, one-shots, podcasts and interviews. And not to discount that work, but because creating things online isn’t my main job, it’s not a constant enough thing for me to feel like it isn’t sort of… ephemeral, y’know? Which is honestly one of the worst aspects of my imposter syndrome: if I’m not constantly doing and appearing in things, people will forget I exist.

I know that isn’t true, and my priority is still my day job, which has continued to be a thing. I don’t really talk about work online much anymore because I think it’s too easy to find me. In the past I’ve had co-workers who were a little too nosy for their own good, so the less said about that place, the better. However, I will admit being 100% remote lends to the feeling of time passing, but not really passing. Without a commute, there’s nothing to really break up my day into phases, and more importantly, there’s far less of a signifier that, “work time is over, now it’s time to relax until tomorrow.”

I had some travel highlights, I visited my family, I attended a convention in Toronto, I went to California to get hands on with a new video game, not only had a week in Philadelphia with a friend for the fun it, but also went back for my (usually) one convention per year: PAX Unplugged. It’s a bit weird because I didn’t really grow up a traveler, and in recent years have taken way more trips per year than average. I still love getting there, but I still hate travel. Remembering when travel used to be fun just makes it feel like a chore nowadays.

The great social media migration from X (formerly known as Twitter) over to Bluesky happened. I also kept up with posting to the vertical video sites, though I wonder if I didn’t waste my time trying to learn TikTok. Still, it’s fun for me. I’ll never have millions of views or followers, but I’m like Marge Simpson in that I just think a few hundred views on a video is neat. Same with streaming on Twitch. My average views are modest, but it’s like the old days of video arcades. If you have more than a few people standing behind you, that’s still a lot of people watching you do a thing.

So I guess I do have somewhat “review”-like thoughts. My online channel/brand hasn’t grown significantly over the past year, but has remained steady. I’ve gotten to do a lot of cool things with talented and creative people. I’ve made some new acquaintances, some who might even become friends. (I am probably too concerned about parasocial boundaries, so I hesitate to call anyone a “friend” too soon.) And there’s more I’d like to do in the coming year, it’s just down to making it happen.

All in all, though, a good year. Aside from a post-travel bout with COVID, I’ve kept up my health, actually got a regular dentist and doctor I like seeing and I’ve managed to keep to my fitness goals throughout the year–though that “year” ends in mid-January and I might ease up a little when I can mark 365 days.

While my next post will obviously be titled “In With the New!” there won’t be a lot that I’m regretting or looking to leave in the past come midnight in a few days. I shall do my best to stay awake to ring it in, but most likely I shall be asleep by 10pm or so after having had far too much Prosecco and snacks. Which won’t be a bad way to see the year out, in my opinion.

Regardless of whether you’re happy to see 2024 go, or remembering the past year fondly, I hope that 2025 at least starts out with positive vibes for everyone. 💖