My plans for 2025 moved a lot slower than I expected. Not because I didn’t plan enough or lacked motivation but because life gently (and sometimes not so gently) pulled me toward healing. Instead of speeding up, life asked me to slow down and face the parts of myself I had been avoiding.

A few things happened that completely challenged my focus and discipline. The truth is, I was trying to build something new while carrying unresolved wounds. Eventually, that weight shows up mentally, emotionally and creatively. At first, it felt frustrating, like I was falling behind. But somewhere along the way, I realized this pause was actually part of the process. I was finally facing the reasons I’d been holding myself back.

I don’t come from a wealthy family and I don’t have parents I can turn to for financial support or business investments. My partner and I both work and most of what we earn goes toward supporting our family. Dreams have always had to fit around responsibility.

Honestly, I didn’t have the courage to fully pursue art until I met my partner. Growing up, my family never really understood what I wanted even when I tried to explain it clearly. Without support or encouragement and surrounded by comparison, I quietly doubted myself. Seeing successful artists online made me question myself even more. I kept thinking, maybe this isn’t for me.

But deep down, I always knew it was. Creating, illustrating, playing with paper and colors, sharing thoughts, this has always been my way of making sense of the world.

Last year, I finally began to understand my childhood wounds. Through reading, reflecting, and sitting with uncomfortable truths, something softened. Weirdly enough, it was through the articles and posts that kept showing up online that things started to click. They felt like little therapy sessions, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. That realization alone brought so much comfort.

Now, I feel lighter. I’ve learned to set boundaries, not out of anger or selfishness, but as a way to protect my peace. In doing so, I’ve finally made room for my art again. I had to acknowledge the things that were holding me back before I could move forward. I’m slowly letting go of the noise, the comparisons, and the pressure, and remembering what I was meant to do in the first place.

Healing took time, another whole year actually but it was worth it. This year, I’m choosing to try again. I’m choosing to move forward gently with intention, discipline and trust in the unseen forces guiding me.

One step at a time.

If this season feels slow for you too, maybe it isn’t a setback. Maybe it’s part of your becoming.

If you’re moving slower than you expected, maybe you’re not behind.
Maybe you’re just preparing the ground for something more rooted, more honest and more your own.

We’ll get there softly, steadily and in our own time.