2025 is here, we’re well into it already. And I already know that this is going to be a year of huge projects for us. But first, let’s step back and do a quick look at 2024.
I got back outside
A year ago my wife started a crowd funding campaign for me to be able to get an ExoQuad (an all terrain 4×4 wheelchair). Since picking it up in May I have hiked several mountains, had epic mountain top views for lunch, gone fishing by the lake, enjoyed several photowalks and even joined my family cross country skiing through the neighborhood forest. I’ve had a blast. And I’ve felt more free and like myself than I have in years. I will forever be grateful to everyone who made last year the year I got back outside.
I stepped back from content creation – or did I?
2024 also was a year with very little activity here on this blog. And to some I’m sure it seemed like a year where I stepped back from content creation. But I’m not sure that was the case. I just did different things.
First of all I made six long form YouTube videos that I’m really proud of. Making me reach several of my goals with making videos for the first time. I think I’m closer to finding my voice on YouTube, and I’m happy I focused on taking the time to make stuff I’m happy with.
Second I made 38 Reels/Shorts, that combined had almost 35 000 views on my profile. A lot of them have several thousand more views on channels that have shared them. And I’ve learned a lot about what makes people engage. It’s not necessarily the same as what makes me happy to make and share.
I shot enough images for the 2024 photobook to be the thickest since I started making a yearly book back in 2020. And some of them I was really happy with. I even shot a few projects for clients, one of which felt really close to my heart.
So all in all I don’t think I stepped back. I just did some things differently. And there’s more change to come.
Huge projects ahead
We have started 2025 with building the foundation of what will be a big change for our family. And without a doubt the biggest project of the year. As we have concluded that I’m no longer able to live in a three story house, we have been on the look for an alternative. After serious consideration and a lot of research, we have decided that the best and most affordable way for us to get a wheelchair accessible place to live is to build a house. So this year we are preparing to sell our house while building a new one.
It’s exciting, but it’s also terrifying. We’re not the most practically skilled, and we don’t have the funds to splurge. So, if everything goes well, we’re building a moderate one story house that will suit our needs for as long as we can predict. We will be closer to nature, but still within decent range to commute to work. We’re really looking forward to move in-day, but it’s so far ahead still. And we’re really scared about the market we’re selling our house in. So I hope you all cross your fingers for us this year.
We’re hoping that we’re finished with selling this place and moving into the new house by summer 2026. And once we’re there we’ve promised the boys that we’re getting a new puppy. It’s hard to believe that we’ve gone almost two years without the sound of paws running over the living room floors.
So what’s happening to this blog?
I’m going to shift gears and focus a bit. I will keep creating and sharing, but my focus will mainly be on documenting life. As years have passed I have turned more away from “how to”s and tutorials, and I think I will lean even more into the direction I’ve been heading for a while.
I will post stuff here and on YouTube. Right now I’m also posting on Instagram, but I will have to see what the coming lack of moderation will make of that platform. I’m not particularly interested in sharing a platform with extreme political propaganda. So we’ll just have to wait and see about that.
I’m not making any promises with consistency in terms of quantity. But I promise that I will make a huge effort to be consistent with quality. And I hope you’ll be here for it.
All the best,
Tonje
