👋🏼 Yellow, World!

Getting back into the habit of writing takes several tries, and sometimes a month or six. I’ve been away for several reasons, one being how hard it became to function in a world that’s literally on fire. This is usually where Ale comes in and reminds me I cannot pour from an empty cup, and well, my cup was barely a cup anymore. At one point, the amount of stress, pressure, and tension became too much, and my body just shut down. Don’t you love it when that happens? /sarcasm

Although my crippling depression has subsided, my body is still recovering. Therapy has been of immense help through everything I experienced last year. I wish I could say the same about healthcare itself. Annual checkups get more and more stressful as the years pass. Like I already feel bad about my health declining, I don’t need other people adding to those feelings of guilt. It’s kind of absurd to expect folks to feel “great” under capitalism, you know?

If any of this feels relatable to you, please know that you’re not alone. And as per uzhe, I want to invite you to check in with your wonderful self. Take a breath and notice what’s moving through you—what two emotions are there? Maybe one that feels familiar and one that surprises you? You don’t need to hit reply, and if now isn’t a good time to answer, no problemo! I’m just glad you’re here 💛.

🎬 Behind the Scenes

2026 is officially here, and with it, 365 chances to try my best—while being kind to myself. Trying my best usually meant going the extra mile, which wasn’t always the kind thing to do. Honestly, something shifted back in October. I started watching more improv comedy and following both writers and game masters. Most of the improv comedy I watched was on Dropout, while some writers and game masters I followed were from all corners of the internet.

Improv has always scared the dayligths out of me, because improvisation is, after all, making or doing something with no plan, using whatever you can find. But watching it brought me so much joy! Trying things on the spot is something teachers are familiar with. You may plan a class, but sometimes learning emerges outside of that plan. I wonder now what it would be like to plan a class around the idea of improv as the driving force behind learning 🤔.

On the topic of writers and game masters. Well, you already know I’m big on writing. But did you know I used to see myself as a game master? Back in 2018, Ale introduced me to tabletop roleplaying games. Then in 2019, I gave it a shot in the classroom and I was hooked! It was all fun and games (pun intended) until it felt like something I had to do instead of something I wanted to do. Back then, most ttRPG spaces didn’t feel as welcoming to queer and neurodivergent folks, but that has changed a lot. It’s almost refreshing to see game masters like Brennan Mulligan make the game something I want to be part of again.

💎 Linguistic Gems

Welcome back! Ready for episode tres? This linguistic gem will tell you the story of how my name became a lesson in motor skills, then explore why traditional pronunciation teaching often misses the mark, and end with some ideas about awareness that might change how you practice, well, everything! Ready? PRESS ▶️

Available on SoundCloud right meow! 😸

Audio Transcript 📃

📚 Book Nook

This book just rearranged parts of my soul. ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ by TJ Klune was magnificent, just simply magnificent. This book was just so whimsical and so touching, and so beautiful. It was a breath of fresh air. This book was like getting tucked into bed and giving a little kiss on the head. It was just beautiful. I’m going to have to try and not get too emotional talking about this book because this book healed me. This book healed parts of me that I didn’t even know needed healing. This book gave me back to myself. This was a book I wish a 12-year-old Luke Bateman had had.

Luke Bateman

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I read a few pages back in 2019, but I guess my attention was elsewhere at the time. Picking it back up in 2025 felt necessary. My mind and heart needed to feel something other than grief. And this book, for me, is everything that is right with the world when nothing else feels right. Whatever struggles you’re facing, please know that books and stories like this exist for us.

Stories can be soothing salve; they can be like a warm hug, and can be read by any of us regardless of age. If you’ve been searching for a book like this or are just curious to read it, I’d be more than happy to lend you my copy. All you need to do is hit reply and ask 💌.

LOVED THIS ISSUE? I'm on a mission to hit 100 subscribers, but to do that I need your help. If you’re a subscriber—thank you for being here! If you haven’t subscribed yet, join us. ⭐