Tomorrow marks 150 days of my "retirement" (according to some back-of-the-envelope math with Python's datetime library). Some days it feels like yesterday and some days it feels like a lifetime ago. It's interesting to me to see what the changes in my life have been since I retired.

• I've worked on keeping busy with my game design and development projects. Some days are better than others but overall I'm pretty happy with the progress I've made. I'm hoping to continue the trend.
• I wonder how the hell I managed to keep it together for 2022. All I can say is I had understanding co-workers and customers who were nothing but kind and patient with me while I worked through my shit.
• My family and friends have been incredibly supportive while I figure out what I can and can't do anymore. They've really helped me keep it together.
• It's helped me to be there for others who are struggling with their own journeys. That part has been very rewarding.
• It's given me perspective. For the longest time my primary focus was on working (29 1/2 years, if we start the clock on when I took on my first technology job). I'm not sure if it's made me wiser or just more able to think about things but it's definitely helped me to prioritize what's important in my life and how I want to show up for this chapter in it.

Do I miss the folks I worked with? Of course. But those experiences will stay with me.

But most of all it's helped me to focus on managing my disease as best I can. I am in awe of folks that are going through similar treatments without the benefit of going on disability. 2022 was difficult for me with my first year of treatment. I can't imagine what you're all going through. You're the real badasses here.

I'm just grateful for the chance to be "retired" at the moment. I'm not sure what life has in store for me but I'm hoping to meet it head on.