New Year

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Here we are, 2020. It’s hard to believe that twenty years have passed since the world was gripped by Millennium bug fever. Speculation abounded that multiple computer systems would fail when automated dates rolled round to the year 2000.

Last year saw the first time that a cohort of people born since 2000 had the chance to vote in a UK general election. So much can happen in nineteen years of life, yet it feels that I’ve turned my head and somehow missed a chunk of time.

In 2000, I was working in Northumberland House, London. As part of the UK Civil Service, I was a statistician in the Ministry of Defence. And now, I refer to myself – perhaps a little presumptuously – as a writer and photographer. I’ve found happiness with the first and only love of my life, and we have a child together. Our house is a home, which we share with a selection of rescue animals, and the occasional injured pigeon. Or underweight hedgehog in need of a place of safety to overwinter.

Thinking ahead another twenty years is a daunting prospect. Much can happen in twenty days, let alone twenty years. I don’t tend to make resolutions for the New Year, preferring to make adjustments to my trajectory as I go, rather than wait until 1 January. This year, I have renewed motivation to stay healthy and focussed. The shift might change during 2020, but the overall goal remains. I want to give myself the best possible chance of being here for the long term. 

I don’t want to join exercise groups, or weight management classes. So I’m seeking a friend to buddy with during the year. Someone to support rather than compete with. A friend with whom I can be totally open about my ambitions, and they with me. Self-motivation helps, but mutual support is even more motivating.

Coupled with improved physical health, I will work to ensure my mental health management is a priority during the year. Research has shown that mental ill health may reduce life expectancy by 10 to 20 years; a quite alarming statistic.

Finally, if I can achieve a reasonable balance between physical and mental wellbeing, I hope to pursue other goals during 2020. Being the best possible version of myself sounds a bit worthy, but should underpin all that I do. But there are other things I hope to find time to work on, more of which during the year.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2020. 

  • Things I hope to do more of this year …..