Where Have I Been? (2025 Update)

Oops.

It’s been a year since my last blog post, and while I’m not committing to monthly updates (though maybe I should 😉), I wanted to pop in and say: I haven’t disappeared—I’ve just been busy building.

So… what’s been going on?

• I’ve been growing my YouTube channel, which now has over 1,250 subscribers (still wild to me). It’s where I share my art process, travel-inspired projects, and little slices of my creative life.

• I became a TikTok Shop affiliate and an Amazon Affiliate, which basically means I can recommend the supplies I already use while also helping fund my creative projects.

• I’ve also joined the TikTok Creator Rewards Program, and my account has grown to more than 12.2K followers and counting.

What I’ve Learned From TikTok

When I dove headfirst into TikTok, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s not an app that many of my friends use, but for me it’s been a powerful platform for both creativity and connection. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot:

1. I never want to “go viral.”

2. You get out exactly what you put in.

3. The algorithm doesn’t matter as much as people think.

4. Consistency matters.

5. I’d do it all again.

6. Life always changes—and if you don’t adapt, you’ll be left behind.

It’s funny—TikTok has taught me as much about myself as it has about social media.

The Real Life Side

Of course, behind the art and the videos is my real life. I’m still a low-income artist trying to carve out a sustainable path while also caring for my mom as she navigates the early stages of Alzheimer’s. It’s not easy. Some days are lonely, some days are hard, and communication between us is a constant learning curve.

What I’ve realized is that support often comes from only a handful of people—the ones who truly get it. Everyone else has their own struggles, their own lives, and their own challenges. And that’s okay. It just means that this journey can feel isolating at times, but it’s one I’m committed to walking with her.

Why I Blog Less

That’s also why you don’t see me here often. Writing takes time and focus, and most days my creative energy goes into video—YouTube vlogs, TikTok content, and sharing stories in real time. For me, that’s where the storytelling feels most alive right now.

So no, I won’t promise a flood of new blog posts. But when I do write here, it’s because I want to slow down, reflect, and share the bigger picture of where I’m at. And right now? I’m creating, adapting, and doing my best to balance art, business, and caregiving.

If you’ve stuck around through the silence here—thank you. If you’re just finding me now, welcome to A Wandering Palette. I may not blog every month, but I’ll always be telling stories—whether through paint, video, or the moments I share here.

Where you can really find me

If you’re following along here, I’d love for you to join me where I’m most active:

• YouTube: A Wandering Palette

• TikTok: @WanderingPalette

• Etsy: Shop my art

Your support—whether it’s watching a video, following along, or treating yourself to a piece of my work—means more than you know.

Thanks for sticking with me. Here’s to a creative 2025 ✨

Here’s to 2025.

— Joy