Before We Step Into Christmas

Before we take a short Christmas break, we want to stop for a moment and say this properly.

When we started the RIST blog, there was no big plan behind it.
It began quietly — almost casually — with a simple idea: to write a little, see if there was some local interest, and enjoy the process.

What followed took us by surprise.

The blog began to take on a life of its own.
Interest grew in ways we didn't anticipate.
We went live on Instagram more than ten times.
People didn't just read — they stayed, returned, shared, and reflected.
And slowly, without forcing anything, the writing travelled further than we expected.

At some point, writing in English became natural too — and with that, the reach grew again.

Raymond keeps a close eye on the numbers: users, views, clicks, patterns.
Almost every month he comes back with the same reaction:
"I can't believe the progress we're seeing."

And truthfully — neither can we.

What we're learning, month by month, isn't just how platforms work or how systems behave.
We're learning how writing works when it's honest, unpolished, and allowed to grow at its own pace.
When it isn't rushed.
When it isn't shaped to please.
When it's written with respect for the people on the other side of the screen.

RIST was never built to become "something."
It simply became something — because people showed up.

So before Christmas, we want to say thank you.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just sincerely.

Thank you to everyone who has followed, read, shared, paused, or quietly recognised themselves in the words.
If even one person felt less alone, more understood, or encouraged to stay another day — that has been more than enough for us.

We are still learning.
Still paying attention.
Still improving — slowly and honestly.

We'll take a short break now, step into Christmas, and return in the new year with the same approach we started with:
curiosity, integrity, and care for the people reading.

We wish you a peaceful Christmas and a good beginning to the year ahead.

Best wishes,
Raymond and Ken