It strikes me, yet again, that we are at a new beginning, and I am attempting to salvage a little of 0myself back through old mediums which I once loved. I am (currently) committed to finding myself this year, and apologies if I do yet another disappearing act along the way. I live in perpetual hope that it could be the year things make sense and feel, well, me again – Cheers to you, I hope the New Year brings you all you deserve.

Its 2024. What is on the agenda?
Sourdough for a start. I’ve started my ‘starter’ in the Twixmas period, and I am waiting for the magic. I have had a go at this before, it was an epic failure. But in my tiny little brain sourdough is the answer to the part of me that wants to stop buying shop bought loafs filled with all the stuff to make them shelf proof; in some kind of attempt to get rid of some of the processed shite from our lives. That, and who the hell doesn’t like fresh bread? Therefore, I am learning. My starter seems like it is going in the right direction (even when I have not followed all the rules to start with), and I am sure we will see.

Health and fitness Journey
I used to enjoy being active; running, weightlifting, yoga, dancing, but since my youngest arrived, everything has been difficult. He has been an unputdownable babe. And although that has some gloriously lovely parts, it has also had its problems. He will be 3 in April, and I haven’t spent one full day away from him. I find it incredibly hard to leave him with anyone or ask for assistance from anyone in anyway – the in-built guilt is insane. Even those closest to me, I can’t bring myself to ask – so because of my own guilt complex and fear of putting on someone, my self-care needs are unmet. It is down to me mainly that it has been this way, it is my issue. This needs to change, and I am the only one who can change that.
Cue attempting to be kinder to myself, fuelling myself well and moving in a way that feels good but works around the anxiety of needing or relying on anyone. I do not need a fad; I need realistic goals and continuity. That’s hard for me. I have never been good at consistency and to combat that I will be mixing up the movement on the weekly, and you will find no diets as such; I am just kicking processed foods and aiming to eat well. There will be some recipe experimentation I am sure, and I will share if anything jumps out and sticks. Send motivation my way, I will need it!

Hobbies?
Yes, to have some. Or just some interests.
Late 2023 I finally got an allotment plot. I have been on the wait list forever, and i adore the idea of being able to follow the process of seed to table. I have made a start and I have a rough plan in my head. It is just a case of consistency and getting the momentum going. Watch me grow this year. I do love hands in the dirt and seeing things bloom. Allotmenteer will be one hobbyist title with some work.
Reader, I was. I am. I think. Maybe. I’m hit and miss, but I do love an enjoyable read. The thing with me and books is, if it does not capture me within the first 2 chapters, then I am done. And no matter how much I try to convince myself I must get to the end to read something else; I just cannot continue. The number of books I have started and not finished due to this little personality flaw is unreal. Also, another quirk with reading for me; if I absolutely love the book, like wholeheartedly love it, I just can’t end it. Several of my books I could not bear to finish because then it would be over. Instead, I just put them down never to return, then it is like it’s never ending. It makes no sense. Arh the inner workings of my mind. It’s a curious place for sure.

However, I am putting in a measly 8 books to read in a year – a low, but realistic goal in accordance with my quirks. Yes, so, reader.

What is on your 2024 list? Do you do a yearly reflection or intention setting? I would love to know.

Here is to you. May you find smiles every day, stand for no shit, and truly find happiness for yourselves.
Xox, L