A Year in Obsessions

From crows to collage, Facebook Marketplace and more

First of all, what day is it? I have lost all sense of time and place.

Second, hello. Happy New Year. I hope this dispatch finds you well. I’m drinking white tea and eating those Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes you can only find in the States. Thank you to my godparents for making the trek across the border. Christmas isn’t Christmas without them (both the cakes and my godparents).

I’ve been recovering from the holidays these past weeks. I don’t know about you, but I struggle during this time of year. I love traditions. I love spending time with loved ones. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by an abundance of love and comforts of all kinds. But the lack of routine knocks me off kilter in a profound way. I get run down and overstimulated, which is the perfect concoction for anxious feelings and an overall state of unwellness. That’s when I must retreat to my lair (dark room with treats and an internet connection) until I feel well enough to reemerge and participate in society again.

I guess I haven’t figured out the right balance yet. The kind of holidays that don’t require me spending energy I don’t have. I’ll let you know if I ever find the sweet spot.

So. New year? Technically. To me, the new year starts in September. That’s why January 2025 doesn’t feel like a big deal. The goals I had in September were to settle back into life in Montreal after a cross-Atlantic move and find full time employment. I’m happy to report that I’ve checked both boxes, so my year is basically over and there’s nothing left to do. I can chill until next September.

Nothing left to do… except transition into a new routine as a working mom, continue working on my art and taking care of myself. That’s more than enough. Especially since I believe winter is for slowing down. Not for amping things up.

When I think of the past year, the first word that comes into my mind is “whirlwind.” It was a big year. I still have whiplash, I think. It was the year I moved abroad and moved back home. The year I saw and experienced new things, yet never felt so lonely. The year I felt a deep shift within me, but resisted that shift because it didn’t reflect what I thought myself to be. A year of growth, discovery, sorrow, discomfort and many other things. A rollercoaster! Life.

When I think of my obsessions (i.e. special interests) of the past year, the words “crow,” “collage” and “poetry” pop into mind. Oh, and “Facebook Marketplace.” And how can I forget “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”? The root causes of obsessions can vary. For example:

• crow = curiosity and love of drama

• collage = boredom and lostness

• poetry = desire for connection and joy

• Facebook Marketplace = trauma

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer = childhood nostalgia

I’ve been writing about my evolving obsessions and interests for almost three years now. When I started my newsletter, my original concept was to explore the self through obsessions. I don’t always stick to the concept, because I like to share thoughts, experiences and experiments too. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from exploring my obsessions, it’s this:

Follow your obsessions. They will take you to unexpected places. They will reveal things about the world around you, but most of all, they will reveal things about yourself. An obsession is always worth it. Even for a minute. An hour. A day. A year. A lifetime. Listen to that inner voice that says “hey, I wonder if… I want to understand… I want to try…” Obsessions can spark joy, provide comfort, move your life forward in interesting ways. Enjoy them.

What were your obsessions over the past year? Let me know in the comments section :)

Lastly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for joining me on this obsession-themed journey. Thank you for your time and readership, for your kind comments and messages. I wish you the best for 2025 (even though the year started in September).

Here’s to exploring obsessions in 2025, new and old!

---

Obsession of the week

I discovered this show called Gilmore Girls. I’m in full binge mode. Have you ever heard of it? Kidding! The root cause of that obsession is: recovering from the holidays in the darkness of my room.