2024

It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times

I do abuse that Dickens’s quote, but it just works for any given situation. For life is generally a mixed bag.

I made a very ambitious list of New Year resolutions for 2024 and started off feeling foolishly optimistic, convinced on January 1 I would wake up a new person, a go-getter with a type A personality. Sigh. Not only did I not wake a new person, I woke up an ill person. And then I spent entire six months being completely ill. Each time I thought I was getting over an infection, a brand new one would settle in, or maybe the old one was getting a second wind. I went through three courses of antibiotics, I needed steroids and inhaler with sabutamol. I had Covid, pneumonia, tonsilitis and who knows what else.

In June Vic and I got married and I was still ill. I genuinely started thinking I would never truly recover but after the wedding I got better and haven’t been ill since. Make of that what you will.

It was also the year Zoya stopped being a baby and became a little girl and it was an absolute joy to watch her turn into a person. She surprises and delights me every day. However, she is still not sleeping well, and we are fighting a losing battle against her eczema.

There was another round of layoffs at work, and I know my days in this dream job are numbered, as the whole London office will eventually close it seems, so while I’m enjoying my day job, this cloud is hanging above my head.

What else?

I painted. I drew. I swam a little. I wrote. I read. I cooked. I hugged. I kissed. I laughed. I cried. I did yoga. I made up with one my best friends (after 4 years of us being stubborn and stupid). I made sure to keep in touch with friends. I flew to Poland twice (Zoya was ill on both occasions). I went to the dentist four times. I had way too many medical procedures and hospital visits. I got married. I danced.

I didn’t start running again. I didn’t write a novel. I didn’t become an overnight Substack sensation. I didn’t fall out with anyone. I didn’t lose any weight. I didn’t gain any weight. I didn’t lose my job. I didn’t start a YouTube channel.

And quite unlike me I’m not making a long list of resolutions this year.

Just these two things:

• Spend less time on my phone

• Be kind to myself and others

I trust that if I stick to these two things, everything else will fall into place.

On this longest night of the year I want to wish you light and joy. I hope this festive season will be restful and peaceful. And the New Year will bring you happiness and excitement.

I’m going to keep it short and sweet and let you get back to wrapping presents, baking, cooking, watching Christmas movies or whatever else you’re busy with.

There will be more in 2025.

And how did 2024 treat YOU?

(Substack is not letting me edit captions under the pictures for some reason and I’m too tired to fight it right now. Basically, these are the only two pieces with a winter/Christmas theme I’ve found, I’ve got to paint more snow).