Typically, I would have posted something in early January, but I didn’t want it to be the same ol’, same ol’. In truth, I used to be pretty good at keeping new year resolutions. (The fire’s still in there.) However, since the pandemic, I don’t really set myself goals anymore, aiming more for consistency instead.
Since the end of Nov, I’ve revisited, thoroughly scrutinised, edited and reuploaded Mr Buechner. I repeated the process with The Children at the River’s End, and also (just about with) Theatre Mind Macabre. That’s around 365,000 words. So, I’ve been silent on the posting front, but very much beavering away in the background.
A new novel will coming be out this year.
While editing the latter books, I’ve been allowing the ideas to percolate and form for the latest, and will launch back into writing this in around a week’s time. Looking forward to doing so, immensely. Can’t wait.
In the meantime, I’ve reflected on last year, and am making a concerted effort to scrape away the remaining cobwebs, still clinging on since the pandemic. (5 years ago? Wow, how that time sucked.) Removing them hasn’t been straightforward, and has required new approaches, pushing me to gear and steel my mind with as much fortitude I can muster. Cobwebs stick, and hinder. They ensnare and blind. They restrict you physically and mentally, and dependant on how deeply they set, you can’t just tug your way through. And for all the wild, fruitless exertions, sometimes you learn to accept them, and let them hang there.
2024 was the land of contrasts; so easy to demarcate. A game of two halves.
The first half, to be frank, was awful.
A never-ending virus, and the accompanying 100 day cough. Chest X-rays drew a blank. I’d constantly set myself time frames to feel better, but never reach them. Then, in April/May, my body decided it didn’t really like walking altogether. That’s a whole new ball game – a reckoner – where pain and immobility thread together as a constant reminder, minute by minute. To the neutral, I could only appear like an angry drunk, hobbling the streets in his white hot displeasure. I have never studied road and path contours as thoroughly, my eyes constantly scanning the tiniest slopes, and grooves, forfeiting entire streets if need be. Then, just over a month later, my old Uni housemate (and absolute ‘Top’ bloke) died. Never smoked, nor drank. Loved the outdoors. Brain Tumour. Heart breaking.
Yeah, rough first half…
In July, a change in the weather, a gradual easing of the pain, (and the substitution of pathways for an exercise bike), facilitated an upturn in fortunes. Endless discussions and comparisons with friends down my local, concerning certain combinations of vitamins, herbs & supplements saw me beginning a strict regime of morning nutrients, which I’ve continued to this day – and so far – haven’t had as much as sniffle since. And, for the first time, since the pandemic, I went on holiday, braving an eight hour drive to Cornwall using actual feet pressing pedals, and not the necessary cruise control I had previously had to rely on. In terms of weather, I couldn’t have chosen a better week. It was gloriously sunny, and the ideal temperature throughout the course of the stay. St. Ives is beautiful. The sea colours… Wow. The scenery… amazing. I travelled with friends, and had a great time. Needless to say, this break reset me, and pushed my mind (and body) on an upward trajectory of positivity. It was a salubrious recharge that led to a far better end to 2024.
Yeah… it was a pretty good end to the year.
So, that leaves the now.
While most (understandably) dwindle in maintaining their resolutions, certainly by the time we reach February, I’m reinforcing the ‘consistency’. I’m remaining active. I’m challenging my mind. I’m aiming for my seven-a-day, not five. I’m looking to the horizon… and I’ll walk there slowly if need be, taking in the colours and the scenery.
And on the way – whether consciously aware, or not – I’ll allow the sun to scorch, the wind to blow, and the rain to wash away any, or all of those longstanding cobwebs.
I wish you all (a continued) Happy New Year.
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