Thanks for taking time out of your day to stop by my personal website.
straydogstrut, my home on the web, has gone through a number of changes over the years: at times it's been a space to share my interests in anime, games, movies, art and travel, while at others a space for vulnerability and reflection. For this reason, I've always struggled to find a focus for this site. My publishing cycle has also been sporadic: ebbing and flowing with my energies and enthusiasm. However, blogging has always been there when i've needed it and I need it more than ever now.
The last few years haven't been kind to me. Personal trauma, loss and a lifetime of people pleasing have left me utterly burnt out. Therapy has helped me rediscover parts of myself i'd long forgotten. However, it's also shown me just how far I still have to go. I'm recovering and that means finding my own sense of self-worth and belonging.
Lately I find myself in search of a quieter, slower web. My central nervous system is frazzled by social media and the world feels like it's spinning off its axis. I fell down the rabbit hole exploring the indie web late last year and as a result i'm keen to cultivate my own intentional presence on the web. I feel like I need to take back control of my life where I can.
I'm also ever conscious of how much of my life passes me by without conscious consideration, and how much media I consume without introspection. I want to put out into the world the insights and joy I gratefully gain from others. I want to learn about the world and myself in a way that is above all enriching.
Moving forwards, this little corner of the web will be a space for personal reflection. Regular topics are likely to include life events, experiences and mental health musings i'd like to share. That means that I intend to explore my other interests elsewhere, to give them some intentional focus, and to instead allow straydogstrut some much-needed room to breathe.