2024 in review

Well, that was a year.

This year was about finding smart ways to pursue big, worthy goals.

Every year I look back on my goals, take stock of the progress I made, and set goals for next year. Here's what I wanted to do in 2024 in the form of a vision board (a great exercise prompted by Kids Comics Unite):

It’s all connected… really!

Making comics

I started the year unsure of what I wanted to focus on. That changed when Kids Comics Unite announced their first-ever anthology project. So my big win was submitting a short story that I'm now in the process of finishing. (If you haven't already, check out the Substack posts about my process - parts 1, 2, 3.)

An updated version of page 1, after incorporating the editors’ feedback.

This project has inspired me to create other short stories in this universe. In 2025 I’ll plan on ways to publish them (like online and in zines), and eventually compile them in a bigger graphic novel.

Mindset goals

I worked on improving my mindset - having a more patient, positive outlook and putting less energy into thoughts that dragged me down. I paid more attention to momentum while working - letting myself hop in and out of projects/tasks to keep my energy level up.

I gave myself permission to explore - into figure drawing, architecture, and alien designs.

There's more progress I can make on taming my perfectionist voice (which is sitting on my shoulder even as I type this) and keeping it out of the driver's seat. I also feel I could have been bolder and pushed myself even further outside my comfort zone.

Community goals

I was more deliberate about building community around my priorities, starting with creative spaces like Kids Comics Unite and critique groups. I also started looking for my audience by putting my work (and myself) out there - starting with this Substack.

A sneak preview of an upcoming post - making a 4-panel comic.

I didn't make much progress toward finishing my website, thanks to a server meltdown at the web hosting service and - wouldn't you know it - my perfectionist voice. 2025 will be a rebuilding year (literally) for this goal.

To become a reality… someday

Other goals

I had two other big goals: to grow my karate club and help get out the 2024 vote. I started marketing the karate club and gained a student (out of 3 who joined during the year). That leaves me with a dozen dedicated and talented students. I also started a two-year instructor training program under my longtime sensei in New York.

In terms of the election…. It didn't go the way I'd hoped, but my spouse and I had our biggest year organizing voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. We led dozens of volunteers (from college students to retirees) who wrote to nearly 10,300 postcards and letters to voters. This was a powerful reminder that, all too often, we do what's important to us in spite of (not because of) the outcome.

Fighting the good fight, a hundred postcards at a time.

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This was a much busier and more productive year than I realized! The biggest surprise is how little stress, frustration, or panic was involved. It took a lot of effort… and focus and time-juggling and habit-building. But it was doable and, more importantly, sustainable. It took being willing to put in the work, learning what lessons I could, and giving myself plenty of self-forgiveness and grace along the way.

Here's to carrying it forward into 2025!