to ateez: whether it's the energy at the end of the year, or something greater in the universe, i felt a tug at my heart to write this to you, and so i leave it here with care. reflecting on this past year, both the good and bad, by looking at it from a loving place, it's helped me to cultivate more kindness and empathy. though i'm still making slow progress towards my dream, writing lyrics in the calm moments in between, those parts of my soul could be born into words that i hope to one day bring healing through music. i reconnected with a part of me that had been shoved into a little box for such a long time. though i still worry and feel a measure of anxiety for how i am perceived as my authentic self, though i cannot be as open offline as i am here, to have that openness in these safer spaces has helped to nurture the healing to keep moving forward. it made me realize with greater clarity just how freeing it is to be oneself without immediate fear. and i give thanks to you, with my whole heart, for creating a safe haven where my spirit could feel gentle warmth. in the coming year, i want to cultivate that growth even more; to overcome the things still holding me back. because of my sensitive nature, when things become too much, it's like how an electrical surge creates a shutdown. even though i feel such a need to communicate, the words end up locked up within me. even when i want to reach out most, i'm just.. stuck. and i know a big part of that is connected to being hurt many times throughout my life; but i still want be better. not just for myself, but for those i love. even though the physical space i'm in makes that hard, even though next year will likely make it harder, i want to believe that just over that hill or mountain in my path, i'll find the garden that allows my soul to thrive. no matter how long, no matter how far the distance, i have to believe in that. so even if it's not as often as i'd like, even if it doesn't make the most sense or can be a lot to read, i sincerely hope that through writing to all of you when able, i can give back that warmth, light, kindness, and hope that you've given me; that you give to so many, more than you'll ever know. i hope that, even as a single note and a single thread in the song and tapestry of life, in some small way it can make your inner world and universe a better place; bringing even a little healing and peace. in less than a month, it will be 900 days since you and your music, all so beautiful and bright, found me. i cherish every one of these days, every one of you, so much; and for the next 900 and more, look forward to the journey ahead. with all of the light and the love in my heart: thank you. 💚🎶🐦☀️🌕✨️☘️🍀🌱 -ari #ateez #에이티즈 #hongjoong #홍중 #seonghwa #성화 #yunho #윤호 #yeosang #여상 #san #산 #mingi #민기 #wooyoung #우영 #jongho #종호 #larknotes