What a swell of emotions it brings.

Firstly the resolutions to do better in weight, fitness, eating and life, yet we still have all the leftovers from Christmas to get through. Being a lady who hates food waste and also loves a bargain if its useful, means I still have a lot of those treats still in the cupboards, and also some generous leftovers from the Christmas gifts of chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates from colleagues and friends I’ve made since moving here last year.

December was a busy one, with 5 productions, juggling my day job and attending as many other seasonal joys and parties as I could manage. I do love the Christmas season. Although determined at the beginning of the month to do better, a stumble in my home life has meant and things are frozen in time waiting for the dust to settle. No great forward planning possible, controlling the only things I can in the short term till life can return to a stable situation again, and after a couple weeks of the void of the unknown it looks like February will bring stability again. All the good intentions are put on hold and another question floats into my awareness which is “why do we do this to ourselves?” After the loss of two people this past year and another just days ago it gently forces me to appreciate that life has its seasons and my own agendas can get thrown up into the air only to float down, a mess of papers, only to land in a wet and muddy puddle never to be useful again. So although this stumble was unintentional yet damaging, its also given us lessons to learn and ultimately change for the better. Not the resolutions we had set, but the change we finds ourselves with, and now in hindsight I am grateful for it. The wonderful thing about beginning new things, is that it can start at any time. Take heart. Despite what the world seems to be telling you, you don’t need a New Year to start over and if you fail the year is not failed. New starts are everywhere, New moons, Chinese new year, Easter, Mondays, this afternoon, after the next 15 minutes!

The start happens when you change your attitude and you are ready, not when you are told.

Remembering those who are gone I realise that no-one’s life is ever perfect, despite appearances and that we are all works in progress who need support and help from one another. Although there has been loss, there is also so much to be gained. This week I joined a group who have a project in mind for the summer and nothing is going to stop that from happening. I hope I will continue to be a part of it to its completion and though I’m only one meeting in, I feel very excited to be involved. I’m meeting new people at this juncture in my life and sometimes it is hard, but I am doing my best and being myself in the hope that my tribe will come to me. I already have some great memories from 2023 despite the losses, and I’m now able to enjoy the January award season after all the efforts of last year.

I hope 2024 brings as much joy and as many lessons, I feel certain it will. 

Go gently, be grateful, love lots. x