I haven’t missed many days with Explore IT, but I haven’t been consistent either. Some days I had to set it aside. Other days I tried, really tried, but the hoop kept falling. Literally and metaphorically. The image didn’t land, or the moment passed too quickly. It wasn’t always the right setting, or the right light, or the right feeling.

But here’s what I held on to: this project has never been about perfection. It’s about presence. About returning. About building psychological flexibility. Not just for clients, but for myself.

There’s something special about birthdays. They mark time, growth, and transformation—moments to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. This year, I, Dina Palma, am celebrating not just my own birthday but also the fifth birthday of START Creative Arts Therapy. Five years ago, I took a leap—one that required me to rewrite the story I had been telling myself for far too long.

For six months, phrases like "social distance" and "new norm" have replaced courtesy hellos and casual dinner time talking. Many of you have been scrutinized, criticized, and minimized for your response to chronic stress, uncertainty, loss, and the risk of mortality. These factors, compounded by political discord, have created a perfect storm for a mental health crisis.