Welcome To 2023 Bitches

I entered 2023 sick, this was different from the sickness I entered 2022 with. This year I am physically sick, while in 2022 I was emotionally sick and drained. As much as I have not enjoyed being down with the sickness, it is far better than what I have had to fight off in the past. This sickness started when I woke up Wednesday and progressively got worse. Thursday night was probably the peak of it, when I swear I woke up every hour dealing with a fever. I slept late into Friday, and I was useless. Saturday was a bit better, I did a few light chores, but it seemed after some decent movement I was spinning into another fever. Saturday night by 10 in the evening it was nighttime medicine time and I slept my way into the new year. Sunday I started out with a shower and that seemed to perk me up. Today is the first day I have been unmediated without a fever. However, the napping has been strong and activity level low. I have no complaints about that. Tomorrow it is back to work and I finally feel mentally proficient enough to be able to do my job.

2022 was the year of mental health. I declared to myself, to others and to you my internet audience, I would stay single. This does not mean I abstained from the occasional date or good time. There were a few potential contenders that arose throughout the year. As the old saying goes, "If you have to force it, it is probably shit". It is not to say that all those people were without worth or merit, however it just did not seem to click.

I exercised boundaries, I soul searched, and I spoke honestly to myself. Some people were toxic and could not understand how to be healthy. In a true change of script, I did not try and sacrifice myself to fix them. You see, Bishop of old would often stay the course for the sake of being on the course. The people pleasing and lack of self-worth was far too real. I would make uncomfortable compromises for myself for the comfort of others, even if in the end those same people would never consider doing such a thing for myself.

That slide show is just a few highlights of the prior year. I dedicated time to myself. I spent amazing one on one time with my daughter. I went to concerts with friends. I made new amazing friendships. Jeff and I got a podcast going and got back to of our roots of doing good and sharing our experiences with others. I read, not as much as I had planned on, but a decent amount. All of this translates into one big thing. I discovered self-love and finally understand my worth. I was able to be happy flying solo and that was truly an achievement unlocked moment for me.

I spent far too many years dwelling in negative self talk and trust me I was my biggest critic. Borrowing from John Kim, I truly used to be a miserable fuck. I was lost in so many ways and like many of those lost souls I sought excitement and distraction from myself, so I could feel better. I can't say it was wasted time because it was part of the journey that brought me to myself. But a real cheat code would have been to take that journey years earlier. I say without a doubt my last relationship would have NEVER happened if I had done so. But I guess I needed that catalyst to finally truly get sick of my shit enough to accomplish this journey. For that, I guess I do owe my ex, thanks.

As the late great Paul Harvey would say, "Now for the rest of the story". I ended my last relationship after a long day of work January First 2022. Meaning that truly January second would make one year single. Well, my friends, I am positive that at some point I mentioned in a prior blog that I did not expect the one year of no relationships to expire and for me to be in one... Well, that is what has happened.

For all the times I have joked that Tinder is bad, it finally played me. I met my amazing friend Sabrina on Tinder, early 2022 and late 2022 I met Shelby. We had an amazing coffee date, and I was star struck with the amazing conversation I had with Shelby. I was truly blown away with the positive energy they have. More dates, more talking and a road trip to Eureka, Utah for rock hounding, ghost town exploring and an orgasmic cinnamon roll later, it was easy to see, feel and appreciate the love we have for each other.

We truly get each other. The communication we have is truly amazing. Our love languages match up in the best of ways, and the effort we show each other is something I cherish. I am honestly happy and this new relationship official as of today is nothing short of amazing. Shelby is actually here right now reading a book next to me while I write this post.

2023 is here, the quest for mental health is one that will never be over because we can always learn, grow and level up. However, this year will be about physical health, financial health and adventures. Yes, I have a lot of living to do. We already have plans for a Tejohn Street Corner Thieves concert this month. I am excited to take on this year's challenges, struggles, triumphs and everything in between with my amazing partner. That is all from me tonight, be well heathens and I will post soon. Bishop :(: