What brought you joy in 2024?
Image: I’ve absolutely loved experimenting with screen printing this year. Here’s the print I made that inspired today’s blog.
As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the work I want to do in the year ahead. Ideas are beginning to take shape as I listen to my body - tuning into what feels energizing and aligned. Then comes the dreaming stage: How would I love it to be? What might this look like? And finally, the planning: What steps can I take to make it happen?
I’ll share more about these ideas in the New Year, but for now, I’d like to invite you to pause and look back. Instead of focusing on your hopes for 2025, what brought you joy in 2024?
It’s easy to always look ahead, imagining a future when things will be easier or more joyful.
This year, I’ve tried to prioritize joy in the here and now. Of course, there are always deadlines, and work has to be done. But intentionally scheduling things that make me feel good – like screen printing every Monday afternoon! - have reminded me to carve out space for what lights me up.
Inspired by my print above, I wanted to reflect on the moments of joy that were present in 2024—despite the sadness, difficulties, and global challenges of the year.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to do the same. Scroll through your photos and pick out the moments that brought you joy. You might be surprised by how much light was present, even in what may have felt like a heavy year.
January
This unexpected treasure landed in my post box in January and made my heart sing – scrummy collage materials from artist Catherine Cartwright sent as a thank-you for our chat about her PhD on Trauma-Informed Participatory Arts Practice.
February
A joyful weekend in Brighton, staying with one of my oldest and dearest friends, while taking my son to look around the University of Sussex. And, yes, he’s now happily settled in student life!
March
My therapeutic writing peer group brings me constant joy. But I especially look forward to our annual self-led writing retreat.
April
I take joy in solitude as much as in company. In April I stayed at The Craftsman’s Cabin in nearby Somerset for some quiet rest and reflection. Bliss.
May
It’s not often I get one-to-one time with my son these days, so a rare day out on Glastonbury Tor was something to treasure.
June
Celebrating the end of my daughter’s GCSE’s in Greece, I discovered that drinking cocktails with your almost grown-up children is a lot of fun!
July
We have an ancient caravan on the coast in rural Normandy. I treasure the community amongst our campsite neighbours. Here’s us toasting with aperitifs before sitting down to a big shared meal together.
August
GCSE results day. I think my face says it all! The path through mainstream school hasn’t been easy for us, but she pulled it out of the bag and I couldn’t be more proud.
September
After much hard-work, and many challenges along the way, friends Saritha and Dhayalan opened a small neighbourhood restaurant in September. The warmth and love was palpable as friends and neighbours came to celebrate. It’s called The Pukka Peacock, in case you’re anywhere near Bristol!
October
Never too old for a sound system gig, I loved seeing my husband trying to get in on the decks as my son DJ’s.
November
Before having children, I did a lot of printmaking, but it's been years since I was in the studio. This year, I took a 10-week screen printing course, and I've loved every minute of it. I've already signed up for more in 2025.
