This year, as you all know, I lived in Spain for six months on a Fulbright award. I brought my children, developed community, fell in love with Málaga, and experienced what it felt like to live instead of just survive, something I've realized I've done for much of my adult life. I also returned to the United States and fell into a wave of depression, struggling to exist in a culture that values productivity and accolades over simply being with people.

My time in 2025 was enlightening in many ways, but it also made me realize how often we're confused and misled by social media, a place where folks curate their lives. But for me, it's the little moments that make it worth it, something that I wrote about here: 2025 in Review.

With that said, I really appreciate you subscribing to my website here, reading my work, and engaging with what I share. But as I enter 2026, I'm going to be throwing myself heavily into my writing, both personal reflection essays as well as my fiction. While I was in Spain, I took a step back and tried to figure out the best route to take to engage in my writing. I'm pursuing my longtime dream of becoming a published author, and part of that journey means writing consistently and building a community of readers who connect with the work. So, with that said, I've moved most of my writing over to Substack, at Wanderlust Narratives. I'll still share occasional updates here on my website, specifically major announcements and updates on research, but the majority, and heart, of my writing will be at Substack. If you'd like to stay updated on my writing, Substack is where that's happening.

I'll have Sunday reflections on wanderlust, belonging, chronic illness and pain, travel, identity, and more, meanwhile, on occasional Fridays, I'll have what I'm calling "Fiction Fridays," where I'll share flash fiction, short stories, and excerpts from some of my creative works. Everything is free on my Substack as I'm not a fan of paywalls, and for me, it's truly about developing community and sharing my works.

I really appreciate everyone who has followed my work here, and your support has meant more than I can say. If you'd like to keep reading, I'd love to have you over on Substack.

Subscribe here: https://substack.com/@wanderlustnarratives

Thank you for being here.

Charlene