Happy Holidays From Red Painter!
Buckle up, friends...it is going to be a bumpy one. 2025 is not going to start off the way we had hoped, but I want to share some of my thoughts (and a personal reflection) as we enter this tumultuous year.
Many of you got to know me in The Bad Place...starting about 10 years ago...when my son was 8. I called him "8" when tweeting about him. Then 9. Then 10...well, guys, he is almost 18. Yes, he is almost legally an adult. Which means that 2025 will be one filled with a huge change for MY HOME:
COLLEGE.
Yes, my tiny little child (he is actually 6 feet tall) who still needs rides (he actually has his own car) and needs my money (ok, that is partly still true) is going to be LEAVING ME IN AUGUST for college. Which college is still TBD - he got into 2 already (his safety and his dream school). We are still waiting on 4 more decisions to come in. But his dream school is 8 LONG HOURS AWAY (I could drive there in 6 hours if I needed to - do not tell the police that, thanks bestie).
I am processing how to deal with this. For 18 years my home has just been my kid and I...and a lot of plants. And soon it will just be me and my plants. And that is a huge shift. I am not sure what that means for me - do I move? Do I get a dog? Do I join a walking club (no, I will not do that).
Anyhow, here is my advice (to myself and you all) about how we will collectively get through the next year (or 4):