The last two years I have strayed from my basic passions, all of the things I love to do regularly. Many of the things I did consistently that helped bring balance & peace to my life slipped away through the pandemic era. I’m slowly adding things back in that bring me calm & allow me to move through my own world with grace. Writing is definitely one of those important factors. Even a public blog can be like a diary that I keep for myself & you can be my siblings reading along.

Have you ever created a vision board? I have always wanted to make one myself. I’ve made lists & can read through them & accomplish those things, but when I look at a collage of photographs & ideas, it inspires me—I can envision it all happening. It’s a new year, so why shouldn’t I write about the vision board I created for my year ahead? I want 2025 to be a year when I thrive. Let’s begin with the top left corner of my vision of 2025 & work our way left-to-right in rows from top-to-bottom.

First there is a photo of someone writing. It’s literally the vision of putting pen to paper. I want to write a lot more, making time each week to write a blog entry for POZ Magazine, work on a script, & even start a book. I enjoy putting on music when I’m writing (jazz is my favorite) after asking for a clear head & silence from the universe, sometimes lighting a candle if I’m at home. That may sound a bit romantic because it is. If I’m out & about then I love a cute café by the window if possible. The atmosphere always helps the words pour out & somehow collects the thoughts from this busy mind I have.

The next two slides are of an airplane & of a beach in Thailand. This clearly signifies my desire to travel more. My friend Pete & I continuously discuss traveling together. We’ve mentioned upstate, Puerto Vallarta & Thailand so far. Provincetown is an obvious one, but I already have a trip planned there for 2025; perhaps a second one could be fun.

Last year my ex lover went to Chaing Mai for two weeks in Thailand & while he was there, he did a ton of fun & relaxing things. During his vacation, he would voluntarily take me along on video chat to show me around, which was more than generous: “I wish you were here.” Since then I’ve wanted to go terribly. The food, the nature, the temples & the art. Did I mention the fashion? Yeah, I definitely want to go explore with a friend & create memories.

I have been to Puerto Vallarta once in 2018 with a group of friends & it was wonderful. I really had the best time at restaurants, by the pool at our villa, dancing, strolls, & shops. I spent a lot of the time with friends without the emphasis of having sex in a gay destination & that was freeing. I cannot say that would be the experience going back again.

Upstate is easy. My best friend from high school owns a house right outside our hometown near my late grandmother’s house. It’s quiet & beautiful. She has numerous dogs & land to enjoy strolls on. It would be nice to go to see some old spots & check out new ones. It would be very nostalgic since my immediate family no longer resides there. It’d be easy for a long weekend getaway.

On my board I have multiple suggestions of self care, which is funny because you’d think fitness would be on there more, but I guess I just assumed I’d continue my life long, daily journey to a healthier body & have the knowledge that it comes with a healthy mind & spirit as well. So with that, I’m going to add in yoga a few times per month & attempt to meditate daily. Therapy will help with my mental health & set me on a track to success.

There are two numbers near the top-center of my vision which are “9” & “10.” Can you guess what those are for? Well darlings, the 9 is for getting to nine years being smoke free. The 10 is my desire to go to more 12-step meetings & hit the ten year milestone of continuous sobriety. I love my sober life even when it’s hard.

I think the pile of money is obvious, right? I want to make buttloads of money, pay off debt, & put some in the bank. There are multiple ways to thrive, but money is usually necessary.

The fashion photo? Babes, that’s simple… I want to up my fashion game in & out of drag. I used to have on a lewk everywhere I went & want to continue that because it makes me feel good, it makes me feel fierce. Why shouldn’t I do that for myself?

See the headphones? Yeah, those are for listening to tons of music, new & old, discover some, & find some new faves. I’d also love to make my own drag mixes & maybe even learn to mix music as if I were to DJ. It’s okay to learn new skills even if I won’t be perfect right away.

I put a camera because I want to take more photos. I love capturing beauty around me, so why not? I would also love to be in front of a camera more for photoshoots. It’s a form of expression that captures an emotion that I love so much.

The podium represents my voice & how I’d like to speak out more. That could be through blogs, reels on social media, & even public speaking. I have a voice & many life experiences including living with HIV. Something sobriety has taught me & continues to remind me is that our stories can help another person with their issues just like others’ stories have helped me.

I want to be everywhere in 2025. I want to be in writing, on television, partnering with brands, traveling to clubs, make appearances. I’d even love to be on billboards. Hey, I believe there’s a bit of delusion in manifesting one’s success. I’m gonna be on a damn billboard. I’d like to continue podcasting with my own & be a guest on many others.

My life has been so compact so I include an image of a makeup compact to represent learning new skills especially with makeup. It’s time for me to burst out & make major things happen for myself in burlesque & drag. I love doing my makeup & giving myself time.

Community is so important to me. Our rights are important to me. I want to continue fighting & working toward a better future for my LGBTQIA+ siblings & celebrating along the way.

I want to be on stages everywhere this year. I want to do so many new performances & be creative as hell this year. I want to perform new songs & mixes & stop dimming my shine for the comfort of others which I’ve felt I have been doing for a while now.

I figured I’d save the image of holding hands for last. I’d love to hold someone’s hand this year & have them hold mine back. I’d love for a lover to come along that wants to be with me the way I want to be with them. I’m in no rush & won’t jump into something with anyone, but it would be nice to have a lover for some romantic time & maybe travel together as well. I have my friends, but there’s something different about having a moment like that with someone that you are that intimate with.

It’s not the year that is doing these things for me, but it is me doing these things this year because I am actively making decisions. I want to make these things happen & put them into existence. They are worth it. I am worth it. I hope you choose to stay on this journey with me through all of 2025. Thank you you for your continued support.