It's not easy this life thing, it's riddled with unexpected and unforeseen things that no amount of worry or preparedness can counter.

It often feels as though one thing goes sideways and then it all falls like a house of cards, one thing on top of another on top of another on top of another.

This past year we've contended with so much that's been unprecedented that it's now a (unfortunately) much-used part of our lingo. I believe it’s safe to say I don’t think we ever could have imagined back in March (2020) just how long it would go on for - the devastation, the having to be flexible, carry mighty heavy loads, juggle more balls than we thought possible.

And now?

Now the festive season has come and gone and there's a huge chance it didn’t look the same for you (or me) as it has in many previous years and that can feel disappointing, it can make us angry, it can be too much to contend with on top of all the non-stop contending we've been doing. The idea that 2021 might roll the same as 2020 is enough to dampen any sense of fresh starts, excitement, possibility and hope.

I want you to know, Dear Reader, that you are magic - you've made it through every rough and tough time that 2020 threw at you. It's not been a pretty year by any imagination but your brilliant self has done it.

Sit with that and reflect on it - you've had to dig deep to find hope, strength and courage in ways you'd never have thought you would have to and in depths you probably didn't realize you had. 

Do not let the “New Year, New You” brigade suck you into feeling as though you're not enough or make you believe that you have to craft a list of ways you need to change (you don’t). You have always been, and always will be, enough. Start dodging the people who make you feel that awful gut-wrench of not-enoughness, they don't deserve your golden magic.

And while the horizon might not feel as rosy as drawing a line in the sand or a new calendarial start so often does, please know that you will still be magic and you will get through it. Perhaps not alone and that's okay (a problem shared is a problem halved and all of that) and possibly not without some bumpy lesson-learning along the way, but I believe in you 100 trillion squadrillion per cent.

Always, always, rooting for you.

Cheers to 2021!