This is a personal reflection on how, for me, writing has become more challenging in today’s world – shaped by social change, politics, and a loss of fairness and balance, since I started writing in 2010. But by doing what I love to do, following my love and my passion for writing, I hope I am opening a door on a chain reaction, to help others navigate their lives also. 

When I first started to write in 2010, the world felt like a gentler place. There was more room to breathe, to reflect, for me to write. Life wasn’t without its challenges, but it didn’t feel relentless, it wasn't loud. Social media was still finding its footing, and it hadn’t yet become the force it is today – one that pulls people's attention in every direction, often leaving little space for contemplation and stillness to think. 

Back then, politics felt like background noise. It moved steadily but quietly, not the chaotic, headline-grabbing, stress-inducing force it has become today, in 2025. The world felt more settled, or perhaps I did. My thoughts came easier. There was less noise for me to have to work through. My thoughts weren't jumbled. There was a personal and collective balance that made it possible for me to sit and just be with an idea long enough to give it life on the page.

But life has moved on, and the world is changed. It is louder now – more intense. The noise outside mirrors the noise inside. Climate change, political instability, conflict, social division – these are not just headlines. They’re the backdrop of daily life, and they weigh heavily. The animal kingdom, once a comforting reminder of nature's quiet resilience, is suffering, and is also in decline. As populations continue to decline, what was a sense of harmony is in decline.

And still, I write. It’s not as easy as it was for me. There is lots of clutter. But it still matters that I show up. That I continue to write through the noise, the uncertainty – the loss of losing my twin has added to the multi-layer of complexities. I'd like to think the challenges of today is what gives my words their weight. For me to write now is an act of courage, of hope. Yes, hope is still there. It’s a way of saying, “I am still here. I do still care. I still believe my words matter.”

So, while 2025 may not feel as forgiving as 2010, I shall still continue to show up. I shall still continue to write, to help make sense of it – not just for myself, but for anyone who may be quietly trying to make sense of this new world in 2025, but doesn't know where to start.