For the end of the year I left Germany in favor of some much-needed enjoyment in Gran Canaria. But much like the first time I visited during my artist residency, things were darker than they seemed despite the tropical island setting.

The promise of new romantic adventures set the tone for the beginning of winter. In the remaining time before setting out to travel again, I was determined to make the most out of my communities at home.

October was my second month of living in Tokyo and travelling through adjacent towns and landscapes. In many ways, this trip took me to my edge, which resulted in new ways of looking at my life in Leipzig.

In September, I embarked on a rather spontaneous six-week trip to Japan. With no travel intinerary, it was an exciting and challenging time that also marked the first intercontinental journey for me.

August was an empty slate stretching in front of me. Where was I supposed to go next with my life? What if I was the one who authors it, and not some other entity or force?

After moving house at the end of May, a new period began for me in June, a new place to live, a new identity – while also letting go of a relationship that couldn’t become what I wanted.

While getting started on a new project about an ancient ritual site, things settled down a bit for me. Even though it was only a temporary living situation, I felt held by life.

In March I travelled to Verona for a refreshing but also challenging stay in the old Italian city. More of a travel sketchbook han deep introspection this time.

Between breaking apart and building something new, February and March were months of questioning old systems and getting more comfortable with risk.

Even though my life in Leipzig was evolving rapidly throughout autumn, I could not deny being pulled back to Gran Canaria after leaving my art residency in the summer, and so I went on a trip that turned out to be an reconnection with my strength and joy.

After a long period of celibacy I had taken up the search for a life partner for the first time, an approach that let me see many connections in a clearer light. But I was more in love with the feeling of starting over than any specific person.