January update: fresh tunes, inspiring reads, and my wellness journey

Hello 2026 and friends!

I hope you’re feeling renewed, full of joy, and in a peaceful place. I'd like to try a different style of blog entry to kick off the new energy of the year.

What I'm currently listening to

You may or may not know, I am in love with my Metalcore music. I have always loved metal and due to my musician background, I grew up with several genres in my household. Dad introduced me to classic rock like Led Zeppelin, Mum adored 70's like the Bee Gees and ABBA, my sister recited RnB and Reggae while I always loved my Rock and Metal (15 year old me is certainly cheering). I also adore other things like Latin, Pop and Classical and many more! I am always open to music suggestions and love analysing and discovering more.

The song of the day to represent me and how I am currently feeling is from one of my absolute favourite bands called "Nurture" by Thornhill. I have seen Thornhill nearly about 5 times and will be seeing them next month in Sydney! If you're also a Thornhill fan, feel free to contact me to discuss or potentially meet at the concert if you're heading there on the 22nd of Feb.

What I'm currently reading

Recently I finished a crime thriller from the king, Stephen King, called "Never Flinch". You may be able to guess that I love Horror style themes and crime is definitely up my alley of interests! The tale was twisted and honestly took me a little longer than expected to finish but I still enjoyed it.

Currently I am reading "The Book of Eve" by Meg Clothier.

General update

I’m currently in the drafting and brainstorming phase for new art projects, exploring fresh ideas and ways to expand my work. I’m considering introducing prints, and possibly bookmarks and cards as well, especially as a book lover who enjoys creating pieces that connect art with reading. For now, I’m focusing on the creative process, with the intention of looking into market stalls later in the year when my health is in a better place.

On the health front, I am pushing myself to become better and stronger yet also allowing time for rest when I am fatigued. Any fellow cancer people, you probably know what I'm talking about and I hope you're also allowing yourself proper time to slow down and rest too! I've eagerly started yoga to help with my pain from my medication (I've moved to Exemestane after three months on Letrozole which were pure agony), and to boost my mental health too. It's absolutely incredible and definitely working for me.

I was also very lucky to head down to the South Coast (3.5 hours drive from Sydney) to Mollymook for a mini getaway - I've not been able to travel or have any holidays since I was diagnosed and it was a fantastic refresh that I got to spend with my family. 

January is always a time for reflection and setting intentions. As the days grow longer, I feel a renewed sense of purpose fueled by both the music I listen to and the stories I read. Here’s to a month of inspiration, productivity, and personal growth. Let’s make it count!