The journey continues. Things could always be better, but they could also be worse, so let’s just say I’m satisfied for the time being. In nine months, I’ve gained 387 followers on Spotify and 1,460 on YouTube. These are still low numbers, and I’ll still have to spend a lot to promote my upcoming tracks and videos.

I’ve developed some ideas as to why certain songs, like ‘Pay for My Sins’ and ‘Run Away’, still have decent play counts while others have very little. Their lyrics aren’t specific; they are applicable to various life situations where you find yourself stuck and have to fight or flee to regain your freedom. On the other hand, songs with specific references to the topics I discuss are harder to listen to if you don’t know the subject matter. Plus, it’s always possible that some songs just don’t grab much attention—everything has to be taken into account. Anyway, considering I started from nothing, I accept everything that has come my way and I’m fine with it.

I want to thank all the people who helped me during these first steps: my cousin Gilles who created the website, my other relatives who liked and commented on my videos, my friends, and all my other acquaintances, including my former Aikido classmates. No one was forced to do it, yet their support arrived anyway. Many others snubbed me—they are free to do so—but then at least have the dignity not to ask me to ‘like’ your pages of any kind. I won’t give you the time of day!

All in all, I consider 2025 a positive year because I started releasing songs I’ve been working on for years. I was always afraid they wouldn’t be appreciated or wouldn’t achieve the success I expected. Naturally, that’s exactly what happened, but I’ve learned to take it in stride. It only takes one song to make a big impact and the spotlight could turn on; it’s all about finding that one!

This year I also started composing again. Now I’ve had to stop because I’m sick. I won’t explain why, otherwise I’ll start swearing, and then the fever will stick around and I’ll just get angry. But it was avoidable and, above all, it wasn’t up to me, so I’m being a fatalist about it—maybe I needed to slow down for a moment after composing 13 backing tracks in two weeks… I’ll have to listen to them again too, because in some cases I even changed keys from D minor to G and vice-versa. I need to listen to them later before writing the lyrics. The real challenge is precisely writing the lyrics; I can’t even think about using ChatGPT or Gemini. These are my songs; my pride as an amateur composer is at stake.

Another point in favor of 2025: no one I know passed away. If 2024 (after 1998) was the saddest year of my life, in 2025 I’ve planted the seeds of hope for creating a new life. From 2026, I expect to see at least a few sprouts. I want to make my goals a reality, or at least I’ll spend 2026 trying to do so.

So, I wish you all a Happy New Year. We’ll talk again on January 2nd, the day I’ll announce the release of ‘Shape My Future’.

Don’t overindulge too much. Take care.