For 2025, I got this Pokemon desk calendar that has tear-away postcards. I thought it'd be fun to write my thoughts at the end of each month, collect the postcards, and then look back on them in the New Year! So - Here I am! Parts are redacted for the privacy of the people in my life, and relevant names are replaced with bug-type Pokemon, or their relation, for the same reason. ♥

January

January was a lot. I passsed my economics class, went back to school. The fatigue is finally starting to go away thanks to the B12 shots, I think? Trump is back. Lots of fascist executive orders. I'm scared, mostly for others.

I invited [Joltik], [Metapod], and [Ribombee] to dinner twice. It's been nice to get closer to them. I've been getting into chickpeas. I need to finish Shining Pearl for the Shiny Manaphy. ♥ Jay

February

February's short. We ([Teacher 1] and me and [two trans students]) started the meetings to plan the college's pride month in April. I started Adderall. I got a UTI. I connected at last with a local DSA chapter and Medicaid advocacy group so I hope I can actually help change things now. The executive orders are getting worse. The GOP is posting AI-Generated videos of "reinventing Gaza". I think all Republicans and also some Democrats should [Redacted]. ♥ Jay

March

March went really fast for a month with 31 days. Not a lot of huge stuff happened. I'm still struggling to find an internship. I helped out at the open house and became friends with [Kleavor], a freshman. I went to some meetings for [Medicaid advocacy group] which has been nice!

I've been so, so busy lately, but I've been having a good time. I think I'm almost finished my B2W2 Pokedex, and Spring break was fun. Finally spent time with [my brother]. I'm worried about him. He's not doing well in school and keeps getting into trouble... ♥ Jay

April

I've been so damn busy. Almost every day, on top of class, I have something else to do. College pride month went well, which I'm very glad about! And I got an internship in [location], because [Boss] at [work] is being an asshole.

The class trip to [New England] was fun. I was pretty lonely, because everyone went out drinking together, but still. Had a good time in the car with [Teacher 2], [Vivillon], and [Mothim]. I'm the secretary of [student club] now, too... I'm so tired. I dodn't want to work at [location] but I have no choice. ♥ Jay

May

This month felt so long. Finals, preparing for internship at [location], laptop broke, new job, new laptop, new town. Ugh. [Location] is fine enough. Cheap, very conservative, not a lot going on. Work is hit or miss. My boss sucks so hard, I hate him, but the others are chill.

I'm sort of (?) stealth as a man which sucks, but it's safe (??). It's a ton of work, I'm overwhelmed. I keep forgetting to text people back. Hoping as I settle into a rhythm I get better at that. :( ♥ Jay

June

Happy pride month! This month absolutely flew by. Talked to [Pheromosa] a lot. Work's been insane, but luckily [my coworkers] have been chill so I've been okay. :)

I've neglected TransRats a bit lately because I've been so damn busy with work. 9 hour days minimum. I did some stuff with [Medicaid advocacy group] too and planned more... uggghhh I'm too busy. And the reconciliation bill passed senate! I hope Trump and all fascists die. ♥ Jay

July

Man, July is so long. I'm glad Summer's almost over. I hate my boss so so so much and cannot stand working here anymore. But honestly, I'm going to really miss a lot of my coworkers. I wish I could keep in touch... I've mostly just been working, but I also went to [local pride event] with [Medicaid advocacy group] and [Pheromosa]. But she wasn't feeling well, so we had to leave early.

I've been playing a lot of Pokemon Emerald and Mini Metro. Gotta finish my article for the 32-Bit Cafe's next codejam, too. So so much to do. My Chemical Romance in August, though!! ♥ Jay

August

August is always longer than I expect it to be. Finally finished my internship at [location], thank god. But the semester started up again! I've been so busy with school I haven't had time or energy to devote to [Medicaid advocacy group] or anything. I'm so lonely. But it's really nice to be back in the routine of school.

Oh, importantly, I saw MCR live twice this August!! It was so fucking good. [Pheromosa] came to one show, and I went to the other alone. It was a pretty big argument with my family, mostly Dad, butt hey let me go. So that's nice! I also caught up with [kid I used to babysit] and [her mom] at a petting zoo. She's five now. It was really nice to see them, and I'm glad I went even though I wasn't super excited.

Semester starts now... I'm so fucking tired. Still so tired! B12 shots don't seem to be working. Worried that the doctor is running out of ideas. ♥ Jay

September

September was sooo long but it felt like it flew by. I've been spending pretty much all of my time doing school stuff. I invited [Joltik], [Metapod], [Ribombee], and [Vivillon] to dinner a few times which has been really fun too. I also met [Pheromosa]'s new friend.

Things are getting easier, I think. The only other "fun" thing I've done lately is play Pokemon White 2. I miss the [Medicaid advocacy group], 32-Bit Cafe, and doing crafts. Hopefully October is less busy, but I'm not holding my breath. ♥ Jay

October

I'm writing this like 2 weeks late. But I think I'm burning out. End-of-semester is kicking my ass. Had some good dates with [Pheromosa], watched Lake Mungo on Halloween with [roommates], but otherwise things are still awkward with them.

[Vespiquen] isn't responding to me anymore. The new Pokemon game is good at least, I've definitely been using that to cope. Fall break is just the [Medicaid advocacy group] retreat, which was informative + fun + sad, but not restful at all. I'm doing my best, but I'm still so damn tired. ♥ Jay

November

I don't know where I put this card... oops.

December

God, December SUCKED!! I'm overwhelmed!!! AAAA

[Family financial situation is bad] because [company] is pulling out of the U.S. Not a huge shock. Whole family is really struggling to find full-time jobs. [Extended family member 1] went to the hospital and [family member 2] [horrible events that are not really related to me at all]. I'm losing my mind and my personal relationships are suffering.

[My grandpa] came to visit, which was nice - it's been so long! But also that means I'm misgendered at home all the time again and it's so exhausting. This Winter history class is okay, but it's just a lot of work. Which is hard because there's an ADDERALL SHORTAGE. And now I'll lose health insurance. Happy 2026. ♥ Jay

Looking to 2026...

Man, what a downer of an ending, amiright? And so many unfinished plot threads! Perhaps November's entry answered some of those burning questions, but we may never know. Alas, my half-hearted ramblings on the back of a postcard are not a fulfilling and whole look into the past and future...

I'll be so honest, it's hard being optimistic for 2026. I gradutating so I gotta find a new job this year. I'm still neglecting my volunteerism and plenty of relationships. The political situation in the U.S. has only gotten worse, and it's affecting other countries in very, very scary ways. School is, as always, keeping me very busy. I feel like I'm always writing about how busy and tired I am, lol. But it's true! With the amount of shit I do, I sometimes wonder if I even have chronic fatigue, or I'm just overworked. But it's been like this since I was a kid, so...

This was a lot of fun to do, to be honest. In the moment, it helped me reflect on the month I had, which is good when I feel like my life is moving at lightspeed. I ordered this year's Pokemon Postcard calendar in hopes of doing it again. Maybe I'll post it again! But maybe not. Towards the end of the year my problems became more and more... personal, I guess. December's entry is heavily redacted.

Thanks for reading. It means a lot that you care about - or at least, are curious about - how my year went. I hope to be more active here in 2026, but, let's be honest - I say that every month. It'll happen if it happens. And I don't see the grind slowing down any time soon. ♥ Jay