Year 2022 is coming to an end, and a new one is shortly beginning. This time of the year always gets me a bit thoughtful, and I tend to look back to see what I have managed and what I still need to achieve before moving into something completely new.

I have always felt that making New Year’s resolutions is not for me as, like many other promises, they are too easy to break through procrastination or other reasons. Instead, I try to start new projects at any time of the year, and then, when the year changes, I take account where I stand with each of the projects.

Major Projects Of 2022

This year definitely was a milestone for me. As you know from my previous blog posts about my book project (Gays of Our Lives) and about starting up a micronation, I have really decided to put my literary skills to a test. Of course, there are more things I have managed during 2022, but I think that these two are the biggest and most meaningful to me at the time as both of them are something I have been thinking long and hard before turning the dreams into reality.

The Gays Of Our Lives (Elämämme Miehet in Finnish)

As it is, I have started my Patreon to support my book project, and I fervently hope that you could either support me through it, or by donating a bit of a bitcoin to me, or even sharing this blog and my Patreon to your friends – as every little helps. Just like Tesco says. And it really does.

Recently, I was contacted by someone who asked if they could donate to my book project via Bitcoin, as this option is not available through Patreon. At first, I was dumbfounded as, being Finnish, I find it utterly impossible that someone I didn’t know would have so much faith in my book project that they would like to donate for me to be able to finish it.

When I got past the initial shock, I started to feel proud and happy. Someone actually believes in my skills and my LGBTQ book project so much that they are willing to invest their hard earned money into it. This means I would be able to get the writing software (Scrivener) that I have wanted for the longest time, but as the times are a bit hard, I have had to put that dream on a back burner.

This faith in my project has given me a real boost of confidence about pursuing my dream of publishing a book or, actually, several books. It has definitely made me thankful for you all and also gave me faith in my own skills and faith in the completion of this project that I started back in the 1990s.

Now, as 2023 is only a few days away, it is a good time to reflect on how much I have achieved, but also how much more I still have to achieve before the story of Lari and Tero is in a form that you all can enjoy it.

And if you would not like to become a monthly donor, you can also donate in Bitcoin by using this code.

Micronation of Nyholt

The other one of my Big Projects of 2022 is definitely the start-up of The Grand Duchy Of Nyholt, a micronation based on the LGBTQ and human rights, and the nature preservation values. Together with my Wifey we decided that having grassroots possibility to make a difference might be more effective than trying to affect politics of a country, to pursue this kind of avenue instead.

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing up the Constitution of my fledgling nation, and as I write this, The Grand Duchy of Nyholt already has seven citizens! Time for a party? No.

Some people set up micronations over a glass of beverages and just to have fun. When you have a clear vision about the whole project, it becomes much more meaningful and starts to take up shape grander than you would have thought. So, if you are interested in micronation work, just let me know.

Am I ready for 2023?!

Are we ever ready for the future to be thrown upon us? It is the same with me; I am content that I have managed most of the things I set out to do in 2022, but not all of them. I am still not a millionaire, even though I said it before: “This time next year, we will be millionaires.” (And extra points for those of you who know from which British sitcom that it was from..)

In general, I am happy that 2022 has been a year what it has been, and I feel quite optimistic to move onwards to 2023. And as it happens, I think we all should feel that way. If we always think of the “what ifs” and “buts,” we never get anywhere, and we never grow, and we never dare to reach out for our dreams.

And if we never reach for our dreams, we will never see what is behind the hills and mountains in the distance.

Have a great New Year 2023 everyone!