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Seven years ago already!

Today I got a notification via Discord that today turned out to be my "Happy Blockday". I can hardly imagine it. But it turns out that it was seven years ago that I took my first steps on the blockchain. It took a bit longer before I started blogging, I had to build up some trust first. But since I started blogging, which was an experiment for me, it has grown into a constant factor in my life. Seven years of stories, insights, emotions, and interactions. It feels like time has flown by, but when I look back, I see a rich history of moments that have colored my life.

Blogging on Hive has not only given me a platform to share my thoughts and creativity, but it has also had a profound impact on my personal development and my relationships. In the past years, life has certainly not always been easy for me. I have had difficult times when I felt lost, and moments when I thought I had no way out. And it was precisely in these difficult times that Hive, and the many contacts I had managed to build through Hive, proved to be a great support for me. Not only because of the writing itself but also because of the people I met here. People I had never met in person, but who nevertheless became enormously important in my life.

It may sound strange, but some of the people I have contact with almost daily via Discord feel closer than friends I had known in real life for years. Life has taught me that physical proximity is no guarantee of emotional support. Friends I thought would always be there disappeared. And while I was struggling in that void, it was the people at Hive who offered me a listening ear. People I only knew through a screen, but who showed genuine interest and helped me to look ahead again.

After seven years, blogging is no longer a daily routine. That is not surprising; at some point, you have told everything at least once. My life, with a few exceptions, has not changed radically. But change seems to be on the horizon now, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Over the past three years, both my partner and I have continued to develop our creative passions. He has lost his heart to woodworking, while I have found the peace and motivation to paint again. What started as a personal outlet has now grown into a serious project. We have both built up enough confidence in our skills to take the next step: sharing our work with the world.

Upcoming Changes

Since October, my partner has been working one day less at his boss’s to fully focus on his woodworking. He dedicates this day to making wooden memorial products for pets. It is beautiful to see how he shapes each piece with precision and love. Wood that was once rough and shapeless transforms into an object that carries stories and memories.

For me, this new phase means that I focus on painting and pyrography (wood burning) of pets. Realistic portraits capture not only the appearance but also the character and soul of the animal. My heart lies in capturing animals. There is something magical about trying to get that one look or that specific pose just right.

The fact that I can do this with so much passion now is partly due to the peace I have found over the past few years. Hive and the community I discovered there have helped me to organize my thoughts and make room for creativity. The conversations, the support, the exchange of ideas, all of this has shaped me and made me dare to really choose for myself.

It is a beautiful idea that what started as a blogging platform has grown into a network of friendships and a source of inspiration. Even now that I blog less actively, Hive remains an important part of my life. It is a place I can always return to, a digital home base that has brought me a lot over the years.

With the new focus on painting and woodworking, it feels like we are on the eve of something big. We have plans, dreams, and above all a deep-rooted love for what we do. The coming year will be all about sharing our work with the world. Wood and paint – two materials that seem so different, but together tell a story of dedication and creativity.

Reflections

December remains a month of reflection, it is often a month to look back. Although I no longer do New Year's resolutions, I can say that in this past year, I have taken steps for the future. And I am grateful for that. Not only for that, I am also grateful for the past seven years on Hive. For the people who supported me, for the lessons I learned, and for the creative energy that finally flows freely again. Seven years of blockchain, three years of painting, and a life that is slowly but surely starting to move again. The future beckons, and I am ready for it.