Returning to Art
Updates on the last year, what I'm planning for 2025, and a December playlist✨
Hi there! I wanted to give you all an update as I return to creating and sharing content in the new year.
*December playlist is linked at the bottom*
I took a really long break from this newsletter and many other creative projects; most of 2024 has been dedicated to managing and treating worsened Dystonia symptoms.
Over the summer I participated in an intensive Therapy Program that was multiple days a week, multiple hours a day. I was unable to do the full program because it was too exhausting, so I trimmed it back to just the more urgent needs of physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Recently, I've begun giving my voice more attention by taking singing lessons. Chris Gallego has been an amazing teacher! @thechrisgallego
Going into the fall and winter seasons this year, I had more capacity to zoom out a little bit and take stock of the realities of my health situation.
I had to figure out: What do I do when I can only devote a certain number of hours a day to therapy and I can't do it all?
I essentially approach it like triage: what is most urgent? What is affecting my ability to function the most? If left unaddressed today, what would send me to the hospital? What do I have the energy for? The time, the money.. and go from there.
On a typical day, I do various physical therapy and vocal warm-ups/exercises throughout the day in addition to a lot of resting (and trying to tend to my nervous system as I am able).
Given the realities of my health and symptoms, what do my creative goals look like for 2025?
There are three things that I'm intent on doing in the new year:
First is this newsletter, which will update you on what's inspiring me creatively - as well as any creative roadblocks or obstacles I'm moving through (because bumps and obstacles are also part of the creative process).
I will share new creations, and I may continue what I started at the beginning of 2024 which was sharing From the Vault-
There's so much I've already created that I've never shared: paintings and drawings I had forgotten about, journalings.. I'm trying to remember that I'm allowed to share past creations, too!
I do have a Patreon where I share behind-the-scenes looks at works in progress.
You can also follow me there for free.
So the newsletter is one creative goal; I also was trying to figure out where I can share my thoughts and experiences as a disabled person living in America.
I think YouTube is where I'm going to be headed, but I have to step up my game in terms of production! It'll take a little longer - more work to put stuff together than it did on TikTok - so that'll be a learning curve.
There's a third creative goal that I don't want to announce quite yet because when I announce this, I want it to be ready to go! I'll just say this: it has to do with film.. but that's all I'm going to say for now ;)
So there you have it: an update for this year and how I'm reorienting, refocusing and re-approaching content creation in the new year.
I'm very very grateful to everyone who has subscribed to this newsletter.
I'm grateful to everyone who has shown interest in my work or in me as a person and wants to support me in whatever way is accessible to them.
I'm so grateful to all of you and in this new year, as difficult as it's looking to be, I hope that the positives will at least balance out the difficulties.
Wishing you a safe new year and wonderful holiday season!
Thank you and talk soon,
~Riv
*Here is December’s playlist: featuring songs that I can’t stop listening to and/or singing along with, as well as some that seem fitting for the time we are living in.*