Usually I get towards the end of the year, and I’m quite excited to write up my reflections on all that I’ve experienced across the past twelve months. Curiously, I’m feeling notably less reflective this year. I suppose I’m often in a position where I think either “phew, thank goodness those horrible experiences are over – I can’t wait for things to get better in the year ahead” or I think “What an incredible year – I feel so lucky and want to look back on it all” whereas this year, I don’t really fall into either of those categories, it was more of a neutral year – and that’s not a bad thing at all. There are still lots of things for me to look back on and feel grateful for.
In the middle of the year, my good friend Lydia invited me to join a “girls’ holiday” to Pembrokeshire, which was a delightful weekend filled with long walks, swimming in the sea, exploring caves, and more. It was definitely one of the highlights of 2024 and during that time I met lots of good people, including someone named Emilie, who has since become a good friend that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting for long discussions about literature and life over delicious dinners.
It’s a fun coincidence that I’d end up going on holiday with a group of strangers again after doing the same thing when I went to Portugal in 2023. Speaking of which, my friend Malena (who I’d met briefly before, only properly befriended in Portugal) has been a significantly positive influence this year, because I’ve discovered that the two of us have an enormous amount in common in the way that we view life and relationships. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else whose mind works so similarly to mine, so the cultivation of that friendship has been extremely valuable. No wonder we were able to become friends so quickly.
Meanwhile, two of my very best friends, Sarah and Edward, had a beautiful baby named Rowan and he is an absolute delight. He is the first baby I’ve ever got to hold or really interact with for any substantial period of time and I love him. Such a friendly and engaging little human. The amount of enjoyment he seems to get out of conversation when he can’t even talk back is pretty amazing and he makes you feel pretty special while you’re talking to him.
I should also mention that two of my other very best friends, Chloe and Liam, asked if I would officiate their wedding. That’s pretty much the highest honour that I’ve ever been granted. Sadly, it turned out not to be possible for me to do this in the end, so I was downgraded to Master of Ceremonies – but that’s still pretty darn cool and something I am looking forward to in the year ahead.
Work-wise, I’ve been promoted to the highest level of seniority that I’ve ever reached in my career, with a salary far beyond what I ever imagined I’d make. Sadly though, the latter half of the year has come with a sizeable chunk of work stress, which consequently meant that I was feeling worn down and getting unhappy about things that ordinarily wouldn’t phase me. Fortunately, that’s all resolved now though. Earlier in the year, I also had one of my articles quoted in a game trailer, and I always love it when that happens.
The hardest thing I’ve found about this year is that horrible things keep happening to the people I care about. My inclination is always to treat people to a dinner or get them a present to lift their spirits, but the things that happen to people end up so being so horrible and so complicated, that it begins to feel like there’s nothing I can do to ever help them. I’m fortunate that my life continues to remain very simple and easy, but I do hate feeling powerless while others are having such a hard time.
Nonetheless, the lingering memories of 2024 will be of the fun times I shared with friends. A trip to Thermae Bath Spa with Chloe and Eilidh, watching Big Shark with Rory (absolutely hilarious), getting to meet Sophie Aldred with Oscar and Jess, game nights with Ben, Hayley, Tasha, Richard, and Nick, getting to see a lot more of Stacey, reuniting with Will after five years, getting to meet up with Tonicha in person, and much, much more.
A very special thank you to Eilidh, Chloe, Liam, Kat, Amy, Rory, Sarah, Edward, Lydia, Tonicha, Davey, Laura, Mairi, Malena, Neus, Lorette, Lorena, Jess, Emilie, Tonicha, Tom, Leo, Elissa, Rowan, Elliott, Christie, George, Nick, Hayley, Tasha, Ben, Lin, Christian, Callum, Lauren, Oscar, Jess, David, Natasha, Hester, Isabella, Mia, Will, Stacey, Christopher, Dalfino, Helen, Stephanie, Anthony, Sam, Kristen, and my mother. Whether we’ve done stuff together in real life (which most of us have) or just kept in touch online, you’ve all had your part to play in making this a good year.
