2024 felt like a big milestone year because I got to mark 20 years living in the UK, and 10 years working at Kingston University. I'll always look back on 2024 fondly for the hilarious time I had with Liz at the David Bowie Fan Convention in Liverpool, driving around Campania with Ben, getting to hang out with my oldest, bestest mates from my childhood, Paully and Shelley, back in the sacred homelands.

2024 began with a hospital trip that inspired me to take better care of my health. Since then I've lost some weight, gotten stronger at the gym, started HRT (a miracle!) and spent time learning and practicing how to be in my body with amazing Alexander Technique teacher Jessica Morgan. I feel middle aged and it's not a problem, actually it's pretty great.

On the mental health front, I recognise that I probably listened to way too many podcasts and watched/scrolled through too much news in 2024. The elections were exciting/terrible, the wars are relentlessly horrific, and the endless talking about it makes me feel tired and helpless. I could use less of that mess in my brainspace in 2025.

The thing I missed was making music. I have a great pen pal who has been reminding me how important it is to have space for a creative life. I've been getting my creative kicks from writing these past few years, probably because more people are interested in engaging with that kind of work. I wrote a little piece for strings back in February, and I've been collaborating here and there, but it's not scratching the itch. So I think 2025 will be a year where I'll try to give myself back to music. Even if what I make is only meant for me and no-one else.
And with that I'm switching off until 2025. I love you; see you all on the other side x