New Year, Same Me…
January 1st, 2026. Today I am, reflecting instead of making resolutions which feels much more honest. In my opinion, resolutions are basically polite ways of setting yourself up for guilt in February. Been there, done that. Reflections, however, are about noticing what’s actually happening in your life.
2025 Highs and lows
In 2025 I took the leap into private practice (alongside my day job). Yes, I finally took the plunge, and yes, it was hard and I’m now officially that person trying to figure out social media at 43. TikTok, specifically. My children have been my greatest teachers, usually through a simple message that says,
“mum…”
I don’t dance (thankfully), and I’m quite terrified of showing my face, so it’s only happened a couple of times. So, my content is… well, let’s just say it’s more ‘mysterious therapist vibes’ than ‘viral sensation.’ My kids are amused, I’m learning humility, and who knows what might happen in 2026!
This year came with some absolute highlights. I whisked my thirteen-year-old off to Paris on one of her inset days (because education is important, but croissants are essential), watched one of my oldest friends get married, and finally ticked breakfast at The Ivy and Columbia Road Flower Market off my bucket list with my childhood bestie. Big wins all round.
As always, my husband continued to support every slightly chaotic venture I dreamed up, and my dog carried on trumping through life like the smelly loyal little legend he is (Frenchie owners will relate).
Of course, it wasn’t all baguettes and bouquets. There were far too many trips to A&E courtesy of my son, who should realistically be wrapped in bubble wrap, more colds than I care to count, and enough traffic on my commute to test my patience repeatedly. But despite it all, we ended the year happy, healthy(ish), and incredibly grateful. As ever, it’s my people who make everything worth it.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve itself looked a little different to the version I’d imagined (reminded me of the time I attempted to implement family games nights, good on paper not in practice). Our takeaway plan spectacularly collapsed, four-hour wait for a Chinese? Absolutely not! So instead, me, my husband, and our thirteen-year-old rang in the night with an M&S meal deal, which, honestly, had no right to be as good as it was. Netflix was on, wine was swapped for Pepsi Max, and my anxiety was firmly set to ‘full parent mode’.
My seventeen-year-old was at his first proper house party, hosted by someone I didn’t know. Cue me over breathing, catastrophising every possible outcome, and running an emotional marathon without moving an inch. When I finally picked him up later, I felt overwhelming relief.
He actually had a great time, and it hit me just how much he’s growing up. This year he turns eighteen and officially becomes an adult, a fact I am neatly filing away at the back of my mind until I absolutely have to deal with it in July.
So, my reflections for 2026 are simple:
- I survived social media and didn’t break anything (yet). But I do plan to show my face more, so anything is possible!
- I survived New Year’s Eve anxiety without any disasters.
- I’m proud of starting my practice, messy, terrifying, exciting, and really hard work.
- I still have the best friends and family a girl could wish for!
This years goals
Keep reflecting. Keep laughing at myself. Keep celebrating the small wins: a meal deal that hit the spot, surviving teenage taxi duty, or figuring out TikTok enough to post something without embarrassing myself. The little things eventually become the big things.
Here’s to 2026, may it real, reflective, and progressive. Because honestly, isn’t that exactly how life is supposed to be?
