01/01/2026
As I head into January 2026, I’ve been taking a moment to look back on 2025 — and I can honestly say it’s been the best year of my life so far.
Not because everything was perfect, but because it’s the year I finally stopped just operating on autopilot… and started properly living.
At the start of the year, I longed to enjoy my work more than I did at the time. I made that happen. Alongside decorating, I gradually expanded into plastering, bits of joinery, and flooring — which opened the door to more interesting projects and a renewed passion for my work. I worked fewer hours without suffering financially because I approached with a structured plan, and that shift taught me something important:
My personal life shouldn’t subsidise my work — my work should support the lifestyle I want.
With that balance came space. Space to challenge myself, and lean into the things I enjoy. I completed a course to gain a qualification as a personal trainer, although I'm still awaiting the results.
I climbed The Cheviot three times this year — something I’d talked about doing for years. I completed a belay course at my local climbing centre, giving me more freedom and confidence in rock-climbong and helping me slowly chip away at a long-held fear of heights. I pushed that a bit further with a treetop obstacle course and 16 metre high zip line, and even found myself kayaking on Lake Windermere while on holiday in the Lake District — a place that completely blew me away and that I can’t wait to return to.
One of the quieter but most meaningful moments of the year was finally getting my allotment after 18 years on the waiting list. Growing my own fruit and veg, getting my hands in the soil, and having a full year ahead to plan properly is something I’m genuinely excited about.
I also read more books this year than I have since I was a kid — from A Song of Ice and Fire to Dan Brown, and even revisiting A Kingdom by the Sea, a childhood favourite. I reconnected with old friends I hadn’t seen in many years too, which reminded me how important it is not to let relationships drift just because life gets busy.
Health-wise, I kept gently challenging myself. I went the month of September without added sugar, in my diet. I’ll be starting 2026 with a month free from alcohol , added sugar and ultra processed foods. I e some each of these separately before but I'm interested to see the results of combining them with a good gym programme. Not out of punishment — just because I feel better when I do. The gym, climbing, long walks with my dog — all of it has helped me feel calmer and more grounded than I have in a long time.
I’m still learning. Still figuring things out. But I feel less anxious, more present, and more appreciative of the life I’m building. If I’m lucky I've got more years ahead of me than behind, and this feels like the year I finally worked out how I want the rest of it to feel.
I’m heading into 2026 grateful, curious, and open. And if anyone has recommendations for new hobbies, challenges, or things worth trying — I’m all ears. I'm already planning on adding wild camping to the hobbies.
Here’s to building on a good thing.🥳🎊🥂
