Toward a Better 2024: Herkese Mutlu Yıllar/Happy New Year Everyone!

A shepherd and his flock just outside of Diyarbakır’s historic basalt walls, December 2021.

When I launched FLANÖR at the end of July, I was at an absolute low point in terms of motivation as a journalist and writer. It was difficult to think clearly and after the elections in Turkey I didn’t know what to write about. My grant application for funding to report in the earthquake zone during the hottest days of summer was rejected, which was very frustrating as the humanitarian crisis there was and still is a reality. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I started this blog as a means of collecting my ideas and generating creativity.

In five months, FLANÖR has amassed nearly 400 subscribers, and the positive feedback that I’ve received got me out of the dark pit of burnout I was stuck in. I was not expecting it, and it was a lifeline of sorts. I aimed to publish a piece every week, and that ended up being every two weeks because life gets in the way, but in the new year I’m ready to hit the ground running and publish plenty stories about Istanbul, other cities in Turkey, and even cities outside of the country.

2023 was a particularly difficult, tragic year in Turkey. We can only hope that 2024 will be kinder. I wish all of you and your loved ones the best of health in the new year. Extra special thanks to those of you who were kind enough to purchase annual or monthly subscriptions. Your support means the world to me, and anyone thinking of becoming a paid subscriber is more than welcome to do so : )

Sincerely,

Paul