I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling (20)22
By: Devin Younge
Tags: Writing, Esport, Reflections, Voice Acting, Ttrpgs

Although the flow of time seems to have gotten looser recently, I still find it helpful to take a moment and reflect on the year gone past. It can be far too easy and tempting to get caught up in all the noise — the external sounds of news, social media, and the chaotic cacophony that we call the internet, but also the noise inside one’s own head. I find that reflecting on what is significant to myself a good way to cut through all the noise.

So, 2021 has come to an end! How did this year go? For myself personally, it has brought about some welcome changes, some struggles, and lessons learned (some re-learned, as is so often necessary!) I spent a lot of time trying to define my career, look inward to find my motivation and direction, and I learned a lot about myself in the process. I moved in with my loving and supportive partner, and have begun building a little home with her. I read — not as much as I would have liked, but a good amount to start. I shoutcasted titles new and old, and rediscovered a passion for esports. I tried my hand at writing adventures for Tabletop RPGs, and found that I really love it! I stretched my Voice Acting skills, and began to learn the business side of it. I began taking medication for ADHD, and found my goals that much more achievable with help. I scratched the surface of Game Design, finding that it ties together so many of my interests. Lastly, I took all of my discoveries and made myself a plan for this new year.

If 2021 was about discovery, 2022 is the pursuit. I will continue freelance shoutcasting; primarily in LoL, and possibly some writing as well! However, I’ll be putting my focus into creating content around TTRPGs, especially Dungeons & Dragons — Podcasting, Module Writing, Live Plays and more. I’ll also be learning the ropes of Voice Acting, and looking for ways to integrate that into my content. I’m launching a Patreon and Ko-Fi, and building up my Discord community. I have several other projects floating around in my head — if I can make the time I’ll pursue them as well!

It will be a lot of difficult work, but as someone once told me, “Nothing worth doing is ever easy”. There have been countless times this year (and going back further) that I’ve thought to myself “What if I just had a regular 9–5? Wouldn’t it be easier to just have a stable desk job and pursue my passions on nights and weekends?” Perhaps that’s true, but there is a voice in my heart telling me that the path I am on is the right one for me, even if I don’t know where it will ultimately lead. I’ll never know if I don’t try, after all!

So that’s my plan for 2022. To those of you who have and continue to support me; thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I was a little kid I used to spend my time on all sorts of creative nonsense. I’d spend hours in my room making up games in my head; announcing hotwheels races and recording best times for my collection; saving my quarters so I could buy sets of mini NFL helmets to equip beanie babies and play 5v5; things like that. If I could go back in time and tell that kid that he’d be announcing competitive video games, writing polished adventures and publishing them to the world, and creating and acting characters on live stream — I think he’d smile.

Let’s bring more of those smiles into the new year. Much love y’all, see you on the other side ❤