Hello, it's been a while. I haven't felt very motivated to post here in a while. The past 2 months have been very hectic, but last week was extremely stressful because of having to break the news to my parents that I'd be moving out of their house. I'm currently renting a room. It's been almost a week, so the bruises are healing nicely. I moved in 2 days ago, 14th of June. I didn't inform my landlord of my *exact* situation (I feel it's too much to dump all this on who's effectively still a stranger), but regardless he's very nice and has made my first time ever moving out much less daunting than it would be if it were someone else.

For almost 10 years I've wanted to move out to put distance between my abusive mother and myself, especially since it's long been clear she won't change. I never expected it to happen in 2025, but here we are. Honestly, the decision to move during pride month was unintentional and comes as a surprise to me as much as it is to everybody else. It's impossible to be entirely no-contact currently, but my mother hasn't bothered me so far and I'm content with that. I grieved for 2 whole days over various things - being 22 and being on my own, missing my father, financial anxiety, stress in general... Today is the 3rd day here and I feel okay. I think it'll be a process for me to get used to things. I just hope I can keep staying here. This change is scary. I can't go back to my childhood home, not because of ego/pride (solely) but because it's genuinely dangerous to stay with my mother.

Giving myself grace here and there, trying to appreciate the small things, romanticise the mundane. I should go out for walks more especially when I'm sad.

If you'd like to support me in these tough times, please consider donating to my ko-fi or buying my sketchbook .PDF compilation on itch.
https://ko-fi.com/vannyz
https://vannyz.itch.io/v4nnyzzz-sketchbook-1