24 Lessons Learnt it 2024, from the big to the very, very small...

And a few things to try and leave behind

I’m not one for new year’s resolutions but I do like to use a new year as an excuse to reflect a bit on lessons learnt, from big life things to the tongue-in-cheek small but mighty stuff. I get a bit overwhemed by all the 2024 visual recaps and highlight reels on instagram at this time of year when I can’t even muster the energy to go through my camera reel (starting 2025 *not* how I mean to go on with a stinking cold and an eye twitch). Saying all that, Substack felt like the right space to pause, let the dust settle and have a think about what I know just a little better this year compared to last.

Vulnerability hangover incoming… (I should really add those to the ‘leaving in 2024’ list).

Christmas eve at home this year.

---

1. You don’t need to slave over an elaborate dinner to host a great evening with friends. We went to some friends’s for dinner this year and they served us a feast collected from Ottolenghi a couple of hours earlier. This was a revelation to me. The food was great obviously but better yet they weren’t stressed out (they both run busy, successful businesses full-time and have two small kids so they have enough on their plate already) and were able to host and be truly present. Despite being a staunch feminist, I think there’s an inner trad wife lodged in my perfectionist bones somewhere shaking her head in disdain if I don’t rustle up a feast in the kitchen (on top of running my own business and keeping the roof over our heads) whenever we have people over. Inevitably this ends up putting me off hosting because I’m all-too-often too thinly stretched and the idea of cooking for 8 feels like it might push me over the edge. But in truth, some of my favourite nights with friends have been over a takeout pizza and homemade cocktails and I’m determined to remember that this year when inviting people round.

2. Reading really does calm down your nervous system. Do it more, and not just on holiday.

3. You do not need every new lotion and potion every person online says changed their life/hair/face. Their face, hair and life are different to yours and the stuff you’re already doing and using probably works just as well. *I fully acknowledge my own role in this gulp.

4. ‘Don’t put it down, put it away’ is a mantra to live by for us not-naturally-tidy girlies.

5. The cinema remains my introverted happy place and I want to go more, and not just to see the big hitters. This year I got two amazing gifts that really re-ignited my love for film; an Everyman Cinema ‘Everywhere’ card (gold dust for movie lovers) and a Mubi subscription. I also love following Letterboxed for recommendations and suggestions. It’s sounds so small but remembering and making time for those things that make you feel like you can be such a valuable touchstone when you’re feeling a bit untethered from yourself.