Hi whoever is reading this, this is TheBestBroster's 2023 in review.

First of all, isn't it kind of crazy that all of our own individual experiences of years all are a part of the same year? Someone else's 2023 and my own could be completely different individually, but they are both the same year. I don't know, that thought just popped into my head as I started writing this because I thought it sounded cool.

So as I type this, I am half sitting, half laying down on a pile of a blanket, a sweater, a mattress cover and a bedsheet while watching Arrested Development on Netflix. It's 7:18am, and I haven't gone to bed yet as I have apparently gone nocturnal-ish. I love nighttime. Also, my cat Little Socks is with me.

Ok, let's get started for real. 2023 has been the worst year of my life. I can say that with absolute certainty. I have been extremely socially isolated and socially anxious, artistically stagnant in terms of skills and abilities, unable to stop mindlessly consuming junk food, godawfully sedentary, gaining weight slowly but surely, extremely depressed, struggling immensely with ADHD and autism related complications, unable and unwilling to find employment, too lazy to bother getting a driver's license, and pretty stupid with my money as I blew almost all of it on weed from January to August or September or so.

I kind of want to write a super long detailed paragraph or so about each individual point, but I'm sure nobody would read it, and I'm tired as hell and wanting to sleep right now. So I'll just say this. Mental illness has defined this year for me. I realized that in full after a really sucky road trip to New Hampshire this summer. Nobody wanted to do the same things, or was getting along, and it just sucked. Not that it didn't have some nice moments, but overall it wasn't too good.

So as the summer came to a close, I slowly realized I needed help. By October, I got a therapist which is probably the first smart move I made this year. Also, back in September I created this account. It has been a game changer for the last third of this year. 61 people have followed me as of this posting, and (maybe partially as a result) I've felt more of a push to make art and improve my skills and expand my abilities than I've felt in probably more than a year. I really appreciate the kind feedback, and high ratings on my art. It really means the world to me. Because of this new push to make more art and stuff, I've made some strong headway in producing a parody animation of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. I'm mostly done storyboarding now. I've also started doing studies again, and I forgot how good it feels to get just that little bit better at art. Also, discovering new artists here has been quite a pleasure! There are so many talented people on this website it's insane. Oh, also the forums are a lot of fun. Almost forgot to mention that.

Newgrounds is a huge part of why I am feeling genuinely hopeful about 2024. I feel that if I can become really successful here, it could bleed into my real life somehow. And I am confident that I will find success and a place for myself here in the community with some cool friends, since the last 4 months have gone well for me.

Also, as the year is coming to an end, I have naturally reflected upon it and what I could do better next year, and made some new years resolutions. I know a lot of people like to bash them because most of the time they fall through because they're not taken seriously by those who made them, but if someone is sincere with trying to better their lives, be supportive y'know? I hate when people are dicks about them. Like oh yeah you're so edgy and cool for saying that the resolutions are pointless. Fuck off, dude.

So, my feelings entering 2024 are fairly optimistic and hopeful. I sincerely believe that if I make a serious effort to follow through with the resolutions, and make something of myself here, my 2024 will be nothing like the depressing, pitiful year that was my 2023.

If you're reading this, you're awesome, and thank you very much for reading! I wish you all a happy 2024!