In 2025, I found myself again. I spent huge amounts of time in my studio making art or just tinkering. The Universe delivered me the answer to relieving my chronic pain, which was literally life changing. (Mold in my crawlspace was the culprit.) I did some inner work that moved me out of constant anxiety and allowed me to enjoy life again.
I’ve felt my relationship with my daughters grow this year. My circle of friends has expanded. I’m getting out of the house again, to just have fun. For a person who struggled with acute anxiety for years, this is a HUGE deal!
Some highlights:
- Road trip for a week’s vacation in Dallas with my daughters and grandkids
- Launched my art website, MelEricksonFineArt.com (FINALLY!)
- Displayed my art in three exhibits
- Got myself a SCORE Mentor to support me as I grow my business
- Played Bunco several times with a Meetup group
- Took a Book Binding class
- Listened to an Eagles cover band at 3rd & Lindsley
- Enjoyed several shows at the Ryman Auditorium (Whose Live Anyway, Sarah Millican, Chris Isaak, Wanda Sykes)
- Saw Henry Cho and Drew Lynch at Zanies
- Hosted a Halloween party
The holiday season was exceptionally busy for me. Here’s a rundown:
- I went to two Christmas parties; at one I learned how to play Flip 7, at the other I learned Left, Center, Right. Both were great fun.
- I saw two live performances of A Christmas Carol – both tongue in cheek;
- In Drunken Christmas Carol, the actor playing Ebenezer was intentionally drunk and unrehearsed. It was a hoot!
- A Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience served audience members four themed cocktails over the course of the 90-minute event. Rideshare anyone?
- I saw Lights Under Louisville, which is Christmas lights in a drive-thru cave. (If you ever get the chance, you really should go. I recommend the trolley rather than driving your own car so you can see the lights above you as you drive under them. And there’s so much to see you don’t want to be distracted with driving.)
I’m so grateful to the Universe for bringing these experiences to me. The world seems to be burning down around me, but somehow, my personal slice of it has been beautiful.
