Cool, awesome

Why is Shrek staring into my soul

That comes from you. 'YOU' are art.

Because this is my art. This is my expression.
That's how art kinda...is. And I am trying to get past that barrier of what makes art 'art', which is why in my head it feels pedantic. ART is 'art'. Pictures, drawings, paintings, sketches, music, writing.

This is an acknowledgement of...change? Evolution?
You know how when you look at an artist's old work, and then look at how their style changed now? That, this is that.

And while it feels miniscule compared to artists who have way more going on with their art, this should feel monumental to me.

Take all the time you need. I’m certain everyone’s more worried about your well-being than anything else.

Start an indie game club. Form a group, pick one game from a list of suggestions, have said group play game, discuss game after a month has passed. Treat your games like the stories you love, and the love comes back through community.