OLD!
So it's my birthday on Friday. There seem to be a lot of them around this time of year - I've already been to two other friends' celebratory dinners since the end of November, and my husband's is coming up next week!
I have no very exciting plans for the day - especially since it's a working weekday and I'm pushing hard to get a bunch done before the end of the year. Maybe I'll do something very low-key on Saturday, but it will depend on how I'm feeling by that stage (forecast is light morning enthusiasm yielding to exhaustion in the afternoon, with possible existential crises about the inevitable march of time likely to occur throughout the day, and indeed, the rest of my life). Thirty-six has been a good age for me in terms of building my self-worth, even as I've struggled with my various neuroses and personal flaws. I am finally at an age when I feel like I get myself, and can accept the truth of who I am, even as I strive to improve on the hot-mess that is me.
I realise that I'm not a perfect mother, or a hugely successful artist, but my kids are awesome, and somehow I keep drawing.
I don't have countless friends who I hang out with all of the time; I have social anxiety, and feel most comfortable with low-key catch ups with only a few people.
I have trouble saying no, but sometimes I need to; I'm getting better at it and need to keep trying.
I'm not as young as I used to be, and that's alright. This year I've been publicly honest about my life and my struggles, and much to my amazement, the world hasn't ended. On the contrary - I've been supported by my tremendous friend and fan base...
Modest in number though you may be, please know that you are a MIGHTY FORCE in my life, giving me the confidence to make art and feel good about existing in my present, completely imperfect form.
Thank you! And if anyone feels at all inclined to do something for my birthday, I do have a gift request...
If you truly like my work, please continue to follow it. If you can relate, it'd be great if you could share it.
And if you know anybody who might enjoy my comics and art too, I would be super grateful if you could invite them to like Tsunami Hee Ja on Facebook. The more people that follow my artist page, the more my comics will get read, and that really means a lot to me. *raises tea cup* Here's to stepping into another year older!
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