what a year
on an overflowing cup full of gratitude
To my dear Musers
How are you in this last week before Christmas? I’m slipping this into your inbox as I turn on out-of-office and head out for a celebratory lunch.
Here’s some things I’ve loved lately.
I have raced to the end of this year with one last retreat, coaching appointments, Writing Momentum sessions and two final masterclasses. I’ve had an action on my to-do list for a couple of weeks to write this newsletter, and I have made notes here and there but it is only today I am.
This is the time of year that we become hit with all the posts of the things that people have achieved over the year, of their successes and it can make us feel a little inadequate or overwhelmed. On top of that, Christmas can come with its own weight of expectations and emotions. And the endless: we must catch up before Christmas. It can make us feel even more breathless. I’ve begun deferring these by saying: I’m around in January and February. Do you want to pencil in a time then?
I met with a coaching colleague yesterday and we talked about the end of this year and the things that we are grateful for. There is so much. And we talked about how we want to enjoy the days ahead: take time to be (listen to nature, read, exercise) and lead into Christmas with a sense of calm and gratefulness for the year that has gone and the people we have in our lives.
I have so much to be grateful for. When I completed my reflection and planning worksheet (which I’m giving to you if you would like it), there was so much to write about the things that have given me joy and what I am grateful for. It has been a year of new friendships, abundant flowers and growth in my garden, so much learning.
Thank you for being here, for reading my words over the year. I wish you all the best as you wrap up this year (and gifts for those you love) and hope that you can find some time to rest and be present with those around you.
A gift for you
I prepared this reflection and planning worksheet to help my clients set themselves up well for 2025. If you would like to access it, you can via the button below.
Other things
Reading
I’m reading The Glass House by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist and have their new one Oasis that is coming out in February ready to read while on holidays. In my early 20s, I was married to someone who had schizoaffective disorder, which is a bloody awful thing, and the book is a great insight into the ‘behind the scenes’ side of psychiatric clinics.
Orbital is on my bedside ready for me to crack open. I’m keen to see what the buzz is about this book after it won The Booker Prize this year.
I’m listening to James by Percival Everett and I can see why so many are recommending it to me. It’s a reimagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from enslaved James’s point of view. It’s harrowing and funny.
I’ve started reading Wintering by Katherine May, but as the days heat up, I feel too much at odds with it. I’m going to put it aside until next year.
Praiseworthy is a great novel and I have made it to the halfway make. I can see why it has won and is winning all the prizes! I’m hoping to finish it over the summer break.
What’s on your bedside table? What are you reading and loving?
My Summer Reading Recommendations
A friend reached out to find out what to put on their reading list for this summer, so I’ve put together my Summer Reading Recommendations. You can find them here.
Watching
Not much watching will go on over the next month (camping, summer fun) unless we get a burst of 40 degree days and then it will be a lovely way to pass the heat.
We finished watching Slow Horses this week and it was a great gritty English crime drama, although I wanted to force Lamb to have a good shower and put clean clothes on!
We have begun watching Chernobyl. I suspect it will take us a long time to watch as it’s summer (less watching time and more socialising, out in the beautiful weather time) and it’s hard to watch. We’ve only seen the first episode and it’s bringing back memories of 1986 and the fear that the event brought into our lives: radiation rain, birds falling from the sky, clouds of radiation.
Other things I have watched and enjoyed:
One Night – three friends, one writes a book about an event that happened to them about 30 years ago and fictionalises it and it’s published anonymously. There’s a fall out between them as it brings up the trauma from the event and the ongoing repercussions in their small seaside town.
How to Please a Woman – a woman loses her job, is in a passionless marriage and finds a way to earn money and in doing so, finds her passion.
KAOS – Greek god mythology raucous ridiculousness. I’ve watched two and am loving it.
What are you watching and loving? What should I put on my list?
Five things that have caught my eye
Tips on writing submissions from NYC literary agent and developmental editor
In my Kensington Neighbourhood House workshop a few weeks ago, I talked about how constraints can be useful for writing. One of the participants sent me the below image from poet Brian Bilston. As a Excel devotee, I love it!
Kelly Gardiner ran a fantastic free webinar on How to interview a writer recently. If you would like to see it next time she runs it, pop over to her website and find out more.
At my last retreat, Catherine mentioned that her son has an instagram account that provides explanations on cryptic crosswords in a minute. I have never managed to crack one clue but I’m learning!
- shows how to create a gratitude zine from one piece of paper.
What’s caught your eye lately?
Thank you dear Musers for reading and for your patronage this year. It’s been lovely having you here.
I hope you have a peaceful and rejuvenating time over the break and I’ll see you back here in 2025.
Until 2025, warm regards
x M
A great reading list. I just finished listening to The Coast Road by Alan Murrin and I'm not sure if it's just the end of year feels but I think went straight to being my favourite fiction read of 2024. It was brilliant (and the audio is read by a woman with the most beautiful Irish accent - funny how this can also now enhance the 'read' when it's audio). I also read Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney over December which was grim but excellent too. I'm about to head down to the coast and have packed Dusk by Robbie Arnott (started last night, what a raging NYE - already love it), The Burrow by Melanie Cheng (both our much-loved bunnies died a few weeks ago unexpectedly so I did start this but had to put it down, will see how I go), Deep Water by James Bradley, and All Fours by Miranda July. My daughter did question whether I needed that many books... happy 2025 Meg.
Yes - Wintering is a June-August read!