Looking Back at Two Years of Prose and Context

ADHD & Routine, Stories & Passion

My Year

Other than the month-long illnesses that seem intent on bookending my year (and, you know, everything), 2025 has been a really monumental year for me. I've found new friends, hobbies and communities; I've read a lot of phenomenal books from a wider variety of authors, and (including this and next week's) I'll have published 70 articles here this year.

I'm proud of the seven months I spent writing twice per week, and I think it was appropriate for where my life was this time last year, I've really appreciated returning to the slower schedule since June. Even considering what I'll talk about regarding routine below, there is a line between consistent artistic passion and anxious content burnout, and I was definitely toeing it by the end there.

That being said, I could see finding a middle ground in 2026; perhaps an extra monthly article, specifically focused on the book club reads that wouldn't otherwise get much attention around here. But we'll see – I'm partly still just ecstatic that I have this and next week's posts planned ahead of time for once.

Speaking of book clubs, they've been a wonderful development in the latter half of my 2025 – as of December I can say I'm a part of six monthly groups and one bi-monthly. In addition to what these groups offer in community and selections beyond my usual scope, I've found it immensely helpful to learn from other people's experiences, insights and interpretations – which, astonishingly, can sometimes be quite different from my own. So much love to all the folks who've welcomed me this year, and to my original group who gave me the confidence to venture forth into the wilds.

'Evening Stroll', painting by Rosemary Yue

Power of Routine

I think a significant theme of my writing this year has been related to exploring, understanding and managing my mental health and my relationship to ADHD. Perhaps obvious in retrospect that the more I think about these issues, the more I'll see echoes of them in the media I consume.

(Though at least or especially with Sanderson's novels, those ideas are very intentionally explored. I took a break to eat dinner while writing this and discovered he recently announced 'Next Step Coins', free for those who need them or available for purchase, physical coins which include the 988 Lifeline, access to online mental health services and two quotes I've discussed previously: "You will be warm again" and "The most important step is always the next one". Truly heartwarming to see Sanderson following through on his books' messaging, and out of his own pocket no less.)(I shouldn't have watched the video, it summoned someone cutting onions into my room.)

'Old Souls', art by jedwardneill998

Anyway! Aside from the many specific ideas I've explored this year, consistently writing here has been an incredible reminder that routine is a cheat code to ADHD – and probably other areas of mental health as well. Preparing to do something for the first time can feel overwhelming, disruptive and simply impossible. But once you're in it, and you've got a few under your belt? A cake walk. (Though what is that exactly? Sounds a little scary, to be honest.)

And hey, if one example of routine working is good, then more is better! This year has been a bit of exposure therapy for me in terms of committing to things, and it has indeed felt easier both each time I follow up on something and when I add something new to follow up on. Plus, despite what the mind-over-matter, lost-in-their-imagination teen in me says, keeping busy with good or at least neutral activities is incredibly helpful for staying outside any and all pits of wallowing despair.

Of course, things like illness can then be doubly frustrating for how they disrupt my routine in addition to, you know, being themselves. But hey, I stick to as much of it as I can, find some books, TV, movies and video essays to devour (yes that's my last three days), and remember that there will be sunshine again.

Art by M.K. Cooper / Bearded_Artist_Studios

Stories

'Prose and Context' is first and foremost about my appreciation for stories: how they entertain and allow us to briefly escape reality, but also for how they allow us to reframe and contextualize our reality through different perspectives.

2025 has been a shitshow for the world at large. Fascism's on the rise, AI's well on it's way to eclipsing not just our efforts to save the environment but also our careers, creativity and critical thinking skills, and every day it seems harder to live ethically in this world.

So again, I'm thankful for stories. Those that allow me to live in another world for a few hours, and those that give me a little hope for our world – and especially those that cleverly do both. I'll be fascinated to see the short stories and novels written in response to this year, and I'll continue to be inspired by the genuinely good things we as a species are capable of – Ada Palmer, author of the Terra Ignota series, often shares such stories.

"Yet, he reasoned, perhaps in the end it was fitting, for his master was ever in love with misfortune and believed the world a wounded thing that can only be healed by story" – Ferdia Lennon, Glorious Exploits

Thanks for reading and until next time <3