Much has happened in 2016 for which I am grateful.
That was not going to be the opening sentence. I have just deleted an apologetic introductory screed in which I explained that I knew it had been a dreadful year on the large scale. I am not going to apologise for having had some things that were not unilaterally appalling happen to me. Some good things did happen.
Thank you, 2016, for:
- the positive reception for Speak Its Name
- No, it hasn’t sold thousands, but the people who have bought it have liked it a lot.
- my new job
- It is a huge privilege to witness people growing in skill and confidence through adult education, and I’m also grateful that my involvement in this is compatible with my introverted personality.
- vastly improved levels of confidence
- This time last year I would not have been contacting bloggers out of the blue to see if they were interested in reviewing my book, I’ll tell you that much.
- glimmerings of progress in some other personal matters
- Operation Safe House II? Operation Mission to Mars? Well, maybe.
- walks along the river
- Getting off Twitter has helped every time. Getting out of the house has helped most times. A brisk four miles (up to the lock, and back again) makes things an awful lot better.
- time by the sea
- A long weekend in Lyme Regis in April; a week in Ventnor in July, and then another few days there just now.
- the love and support of friends and family
- I really do have some excellent people in my life.
- perspective
- Even when things inside my head have been dreadful, I have never forgotten that this is not reality. I think this might have been the first year that this happened.
- the music.
- Sorry, I couldn’t resist. In all seriousness, it’s been a good year for music.
Kathleen Jowitt 