Photo from May's swim in the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Hi, and welcome to the newyear effect! Everyone is looking ahead! What a nice little boost it is. But first, let’s take a look back at what we just did. This time last year I wrote that what I wanted for 2023 was to again feel like myself - I remember that feeling very well: “I just want to think clearly, to speak with my entire self present, and act in a way that reflects everything I am. I'm hoping for a lot of things for 2023, but most of all, I want to feel like myself.”
I'm so happy to be able to say that now, a year later, I do indeed feel like myself. So on that note, here are some of my favourite moments of the year:
In Noble Rot on Lamb’s Conduit Street in London, by myself at the table by the fireplace, drinking a glass of Nebbiolo to celebrate some achievements and thinking about the things that are possible.
In Joshua Tree in California, in the hot tub outside the house, laying back and gazing into the open desert, surrounded by perfect, beautiful silence.
In my new office, on my old Danish sofa, with my ginger cat.
At the Ladies Pond on Hampstead Heath in London, four degree water in early December, forgetting the cold as the lifeguard calls out to us – look, the ducks are about to take off!
At the British Library in London, working at the long tables under the tall ceilings, in the most perfect hum created by a hundred people being quiet together.
In Copenhagen in the June light, the warmth on my skin, feeling the excitement of all the Scandinavians breathlessly soaking in the brief, glorious summer.
Now that it's 2024 I've been thinking about what I want for this year. After the year of getting back to feeling like myself, I’m realising I want to move on and move up, and not simply be grateful that it doesn't suck / that time is no longer a threat but again something that we can use and enjoy. What a concept! So in 2024 I want to take all the progress of this year and build on it, one solid little step at a time. I want to launch myself into possibility and potential, and do some things that I've been wanting to do for a long time. To almost quote Captain Kirk: I want to boldly go where I've never gone before.
I hope you're having a nice and gentle start to 2024 - while the urge to reflect in January is nearly irresistible, remember that the real new year doesn't start until March, when nature wakes up. For now it's still winter so let's be gentle with ourselves, and maybe just start tinkering on some new year plans that feel good, and that includes the rest required to make it happen. I am very serious about this - after my burnout I now write "rest" into my calendar, because ambition is worthless if it's not sustainable.
Here's to a new year that gets us where we want to go, in good and solid and little steps x
Writings
Boxing Week, that blissful period when nothing happens, is the real gift of Christmas - The Guardian
In ancient Rome the year had only 10 months, starting in March and ending in December. The period that remained was not considered part of the official series of months, creating a limbo in the darkest season. I'm in The Guardian honouring that tradition with Boxing Week, Twixmas, Romjul, or whatever you want to call it - this is when we can forget what day it is and rest and recharge in a glorious time when nothing much happens. I hope you had a good one.
How Brexit created a new European diaspora - Al Jazeera
When Brexit happened, there was no plan for the 3.5 million Europeans living in the UK. It wasn't just the practicalities that shook people up - it was the loss of a belief in a system that has been there since most of us were born: a post-war agreement that we were going to be a great European family. When the UK's EU Settlement scheme was announced, for many it was not enough - after years of being left twisting in the wind, there was no trust left. So they did the only thing they could do to feel secure in the UK: they became British citizens. For Al Jazeera I reported on the very mixed feelings among the Brits that Brexit made, and found that this unique experience has created something unexpected and intriguing: a new European diaspora in Britain.
Why I’m picking out my own gifts - The i Paper
Not just for Christmas - for any gift occasion! I'm back in The i Paper with why my partner and I take a collaborative approach to gift giving, an approach I thoroughly enjoy. Regarding the published headline, I would of course never say that "everyone should" do anything at all, except maybe reconsider a social convention if it makes you unhappy?
Readings
For this month's article recommendations from around the internet, head over to Reading List, Bottom of the Year edition.