This past year I celebrated 5 years working for my company. It is the longest, most stable job of my life. They bought me a FitBit to celebrate. I also got a significant raise.

In the past year, I also got a booster Covid shot. But when I traveled to India and attended a large outdoor party without a mask, I contracted Covid. I had to stay in India an extra 10 days before I could test negative on the PCR test and return to the US. I have lost a few pounds.

I have also started a chapter of Diverse Abilities, an employee resource group for people with disabilities in my company. I have told coworkers about my mental illness and am advocating for people with disabilities.

I also started three new volunteer jobs. I am mentoring a high school student whose family does not have much money, but I am going to help her be the first generation in her family to get into college. I also help facilitate support groups for LGBT teens and support groups for adults with mental illnesses through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The volunteer roles fulfill me and make me feel like I have a purpose.