I’m going to be honest, I’m not a morning person and every morning begins with a small but predictable defeat at the hands of my alarm clock. It goes off, I hit snooze. It goes off again, I hit snooze again..to be honest, it goes off a third time too… it’s less a habit and more a long‑term negotiation. I’ve even started setting it earlier than I need to, just so I can pretend those extra minutes are somehow part of the plan. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s mine.
Today starts with an early Festival Too meeting at the beautiful Town Hall in King’s Lynn. There’s something about stepping into that building – the history and the quiet reminder that people have been gathering there for generations to make things happen.
King’s Lynn Town Hall
I join the rest of the committee and we get straight into the practicalities of this year’s event. This year is our 41st but the process stays broadly the same, plans, budgets, fundraising, the £250K we need to raise each year to deliver the festival, the challenges ahead, and the long list of tasks that need to happen before we launch at the end of June – only five months away!
An hour later, we all head off to our day jobs. For me, that’s as a Head of Communications and Engagement. It’s a role where no two days ever look the same – and that’s exactly why I enjoy it.
It’s challenging in all the right ways and rewarding in equal measure and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s a morning busy with meetings and planning, and I’ve talked so much that it’s now 1pm, and I have to stop everything for a 1.5‑mile walk for Cancer Research fundraiser I’ve signed up to.
Stepping out Is non‑negotiable, I have had 62 miles to cover (approx. 139,134 steps fact fans) so I need to get the steps in daily. Of course, today is the day I realise I’ve left my walking boots at home.
1.30pm and, the walk is happening… in heels. Which feels like a metaphor for something – determination? stubborn optimism? – take your pick.
It’s not a long distance, but it’s a commitment. And as I make my way along the pavements, I’m reminded why I’m doing it, and who I’m doing it for and my forming blister and any pounds I may raise are going to an exceptional cause.
2.30pm and 1.8 miles later, it’s back to work, and this afternoon I’m out meeting some community partners . There’s something powerful about sitting down with people who share the similar goals and working out how we can make things happen together. Partnership working isn’t a nice extra; it’s essential
By the end of the working day there’s one last item: an 8:56 Foundation trustee meeting. The charity has just marked its first year, so we’re focused on the year ahead – funding, impact reports, campaign planning and, most importantly, how we ensure mental health is firmly at the centre of conversations.
Cobbled street leading to the Town Hall
Its 8pm, when the meeting wraps up, it’s pouring with rain but I stop to take a photograph of a cobbled street with the Town Hall at the end and I feel like I’ve stepped back in time, a little further and I stop again (hey, I’m soaked now anyway) as the Custom House projections look incredible in this light.
My feet are protesting by this point, and I make a mental note ‘do NOT to wear heels tomorrow’… the steps back to the car are now small and careful, but every single one still counts.
Thankfully the day started with the sky being clear and the sun being bright. Its always a challenging time of year with the long dark nights and the temperamental weather. Why this Monday in particular is identified as one of the most difficult I do not know, but like many people I find this time of year a challenge to keep positive and optimistic.
Family relationships are fractious and irritable and money is tight; as however much you focus on a paired back and responsible festive season, the bills flow in and a whole new year is stretching out in front of you..
So my morning started with a 6am cup of tea, listening and watching the many birds in my garden feast on the range of seeds I have tempted them in with. Such tiny bundles of busyness and action always bring me joy and galvanise my start to the day. I spend as long as possible avoiding the need to actually get dressed and start my day, I get a perverse pleasure in moaning about it.
I walk my two rescue dogs first thing and litter pick on my route. I do this without judgement just because I can and I care about where I live. I know that if I can make any positive little contribution in the world it has to be tangible and easy to achieve. This I can do – its not rigorous or righteous simply picking a few plastic bottles and cans up makes me feel so much better though – try it!
Onto work and focusing on what to do and how to do it. I have given myself permission to spend a year exploring and experimenting options. I saved up enough money to be able to pay my mortgage and bills for a year without stress and the challenge is to have a year doing things differently. My weeks since starting this adventure have been filled with volunteering on a farm, supporting four elderly parents whom have complex health issues and are failing to thrive along with working on developing my skills and experience through additional training and forums. Then I get a notification that a group of friends are going to swim at lunchtime in the river at Harkstead – Count me in!
As I stand on the beach wondering what I was thinking, this group of women discuss all the same challenges that are going on in my life. Its such a relief to realise that in our 50’s women have a huge set of complex care issues, teenage children to older, frail parents, partners with conflicting viewpoints to career challenges. It’s tough for everyone but sharing it, laughing about it whilst walking into freezing water for 3 very LONG minutes seems to be an effective tonic. Quick change on the beach, boobs out to all to get dry, dressed and back to it – thank the lord not many people are braving the beach in the cold. It’s a beautiful place and we all stop for a moment to notice where we are and the amazing view. Then back in the car to get back to work – its amazing what can be achieved in a lunch hour.
The afternoon was a focus in front of a screen, which culminated in a much appreciated interruption by a cuppa with a friend. Back out into the darkness with the dogs for a final outdoor moment before lighting the fire and giving up for the evening. An easy supper of comfort food before retiring to stream a series on tv and then bed.
Last thing to do is reflect on the things that brought me joy during the day – it is always the little things, watching the birds first thing, making a tiny difference by picking up litter and laughing with friends while freezing my tits off – I hope you can find joy in the little things too.
Is it too late to say ‘Happy New Year’? I ask because I’m seeing a couple of clients this lunch time and some friends tonight, and not sure if it’s appropriate!
Whilst I cogitate on that challenge, the day unfolds; it’s Friday so it’s our shopping delivery, and our cleaner’s day. Coffee and catch up with the lovely Cheryl, who makes the house sparkle every other Friday, then the satisfying vision of our groceries being unloaded by Sergio! Good discussion about holidays and, he wished us Happy New Year, so clearly it’s not too late!
It’s been interesting that, since Covid, we’ve radically changed our work model. When I say ‘we’ I need to explain that Paul and I have been married for forty seven years this year and, for the last thirty three, have been running our leadership development business, The Training Spa. Prior to the lockdown, we travelled to all our clients, resulting in long days, lots of time away from home and from each other. Once everyone got used to Zoom, it became the go-to model for us, so now, instead of early starts and long days, we get up later, have a relaxing breakfast together and then start our calls around 10.30 or 11.00! Our last call finishes by 15.00 so we have a relaxing end to the day! Four hours or so with clients can be four separate clients or small groups; there was absolutely no way we could have seen four clients before Covid, unless they were all local and we met in a suitable public venue! In other words, quality of life is better, income has become much more realistic (less spend on travel and hotels) and we have time to relax.
On this Friday, my 11.00 coaching client had asked to change to another day, so I’ve had time to do some work on my master’s-level qualification in ‘Strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’. This is very close to my heart as everything I do with our clients is about building great organisations where everyone is given the chance to shine. We also work with a lot of clients on their EDI culture and, as a student in the late 1960s, I spent many a Saturday, marching for equality for women! I love research and am keen to use this to create a template enabling small or medium organisations to embed EDI as actions, behaviours, and not just words!
My early afternoon clients were two lovely partners from a well-known accountancy firm. We spent three interesting hours sharing views on organisational culture and how to use coaching skills to help their people grow. Zoom is a wonderful medium for debate, interaction and having fun!
It’s 16.00 on a Friday and, it has to be admitted, ‘gin o’clock’🍸! Let’s switch off; cuddle our two tuxedo cats for an hour, and toast the end of the week!
Now, time for a shower and ready ourselves to meet two dear friends for dinner at ‘Benoli’, a local Italian restaurant! These friends are twenty-five years younger than us, but that doesn’t get in the way of a true relationship built on mutual love, respect and fun times. We. used this particular dinner to celebrate the imminent launch of their business, stemming from an invention that, it is forecast, will add immense value to the construction industry. Funding from a government source and support from an innovation agency has set them up and we spend the first part of the evening sharing thoughts on their marketing launch and feeling very excited for their future success! Yes, it might be downtime but helping new enterprises and sharing their passion is vital!
A great evening with lots of fun, food and wine! Our taxi delivered us home before the witching hour, so we relaxed before bed and reflected on our good fortune that we work with amazing clients; have great friends and love our life! Carpe diem has always been our slogan – I believe it’s more important than ever!
When I was in junior school, I remember almost every essay about ‘what I did at the weekend’ ended with the phrase, ‘I went to bed, tired but happy!’ Yes, I can still say that and this Friday, half way through, what seems like the longest month of the year, is definitely one of those occasions that I can say it!
Live each day, enjoy what you do, but more importantly appreciate the gift of life!
Day 3 of the January back to work and day 2 back to school. The alarm goes off at 6:30am and it’s a struggle to get up in the cold and dark. I wake my teenage daughters and then head downstairs to put the kettle on. Lunches next and checking school bags/PE kit.
By 8am, the house is quiet, just me and my two cocker spaniels. I switch my laptop on and make another cup of tea.
My cocker spaniels
My dogs go off to doggy daycare at 9am and I leave home to drive to a site meeting. I’m well prepared for the cold with new gloves and thermal socks (a useful Christmas gift), it’s freezing!
The scheme I’m visiting is almost complete with fire safety checks happening today. I’m the project manager on the Council side and this is one of ten schemes currently on site delivering approximately 100 homes for social rent. I love my job, every day is different and it’s never dull!
The scheme I’m project managing
As I’m preparing to leave, it starts to snow quite heavily and everyone starts to worry about getting home. It doesn’t last long though and I’m soon on my way home.
I get home and log back in, checking my emails before making a sandwich and a hot chocolate. All is quiet in my house and I appreciate the time to focus on my to do list. We are now back in the office 3 days a week so time at home to focus is appreciated.
By 15:45, my eldest daughter is home from school and the dogs have been dropped off. All tired after a busy day.
At 16:30, I log off and go out to pick my youngest daughter and her friend up from cricket practice. I love hearing about their day, the lessons they liked, the ones they hated and the trouble the boys had caused that day.
By 17:15, it’s time to cook dinner before my eldest daughter’s French lesson online. She’s studying for her GCSEs and really enjoys French so is doing extra classes before a trip to Nice in May.
My husband gets in around 17:30 and we share our days while I finish cooking dinner. Cottage pie and veg, a proper winter dinner.
Excitement is mounting as we wait for Traitors to start. One of the contestants lives in our village and was my daughter’s boot camp teacher at primary school so we are fully invested. It’s great to have something to look forward to in January when it’s dark and cold.
By 9:30, we are all heading to bed and thinking about doing it all again tomorrow.
January 6th and the day began, as all great days do, with my alarm ringing and me aggressively snoozing it like it had personally offended me. Several times.
I eventually got up early-ish and launched straight into housework so my husband wouldn’t be left alone with everything – a habit which if I’m honest is becoming far too frequent.
I was already tense because it was the kids’ first day back at school after quite a lovely and chilled Christmas time. There were new term nerves, mine mostly, while naturally they were absolutely fine. Thriving, even. Rude.
Because I didn’t need to leave for work until later, I treated myself to the luxury of a proper breakfast and made myself look half decent by actually brushing my hair and washing my face.
I then drove to work in the snow, listening to the worst audiobook ever recorded. I hate driving in snow. Hate it. I did, however, thank my past self for parking the car sensibly the night before. Growth.
Arrived to find a work experience person waiting for me — nothing like being responsible for shaping a young mind when you’re running on adrenaline and vibes.
Work itself that day involved reporting from coroner’s court, mentoring the workie and watching a professional woman absolutely smash her new role – which was genuinely brilliant and the emotional highlight of the day.
I briefly considered riding that inspiration all the way to a nap, but there was just not the time.
Somehow, through time wizardry or divine intervention, I got home early enough to cook dinner for my three boys like a functioning adult. Then I worked some more because rest is apparently optional in this household.
We did have some quality time together though, which included watching my youngest play on the motion-sickness inducing Geometry Dash and then funny cat videos with my eldest two, because nothing bonds a family like animals failing at gravity.
Bedtime involved reading Shark in the Park, which I now know by heart and could perform as a one-woman show.
Husband went out just as I came in, like ships passing in the night — tired, domesticated ships. I did an online food shop, remembered last thing I needed to fill in a form for one of the many, many, many things my children signed themselves up to, checked on some more hate mail I’d received as my work as a writer, and then did my reflection journal (very zen of me).
I listened to more of the awful audiobook again. Still awful. Went to bed early-ish and thanked the universe for the electric blanket — my true life partner during this cold winter.
All in all, after a long day where it felt like there was no time for anything, everyone is alive, mostly fed and moderately loved.
As for tomorrow… I will absolutely hit snooze again.
This is an old photo of me. I’m not talking when I was 18 but late 2025. I like it because I love the colour of my skirt. Apparently it was/is on trend. You wouldn’t say that about me much.
Despite having a few glasses of champagne then a few glasses of red wine, plus staying up many hours past my bedtime (10pm as a rule) I started the new year feeling full of pep and energy. I had thought about getting out of bed early and going for a run at sunrise – I’m obsessed with sunrise and sunset so much so that I’m known as ‘sky lady’ in our house. (Apparently because I spend a disproportionate amount of time saying “oooh look at the sky.”) But then I looked at the weather on my phone which said it feels something like -4 and thought best not, I’d probably do myself an injury. Instead, I greeted the first morning of 2026 with copious cups of tea.
Still, I did find myself energised enough to get dressed (in a nice dress because as far as I’m concerned New Year’s Day is still a ‘fancy’ day and worthy of sartorial respect), prepare a beef joint in the slow cooker (again, because New Year’s Day is a bit special, I always feel it warrants a full on meal. As I prepared the joint, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of myself and how far I’ve come with my culinary skills. Mainly I think because I downloaded the Good Food app in 2025. My perpetual Tuna Pasta Bake offering is a distant memory now. Actually that’s not true. We have it most Thursdays when the cupboards aren’t offering much in sustenance before the shopping arrives). And on top of all that I also took our cockapoo for a walk, all before midday. It didn’t feel as cold as -4 by the time we got outside and I was wrapped up good and warm. The dog was fine too, he has a good covering of fur. He’s well overdue a groom to be fair but that action slipped down the ‘to do’ list in the busyness of the pre-Christmas prep.
This photo was taken on New Year’s Eve. It’s stuff like this why I am known as Sky Lady.
Anyway, the walk felt amazing. Strolling along the trail near where we live listening to music – mostly Ludovico Einuadi – is one of my happy places. And not for the first time I thought to myself that actually the things that make me happiest don’t cost a thing. (Which is just as well really as I’ve decided to try and spend as little as possible in January. I’m not sure how that’s going to go as we’re off to London for a day out soon, a famously affordable city.)
When I got back, I thought ‘ooh what shall I do now’. Take the bloody decorations down? I am desperate to get our Christmas tree down. This year we didn’t bother with one of those tree versions that don’t drop so much, I can’t remember what they’re called, fir something. A decision I have come to regret. You only have to look at the tree and it sheds its needles. Watching TV in the lounge you’re constantly hearing needles making contact with the floor. Coming down in the morning is like walking through an autumnal forest. It’s doing my head in.
But of course, we can’t take the decorations down today as it’s still a ‘fancy’ day. Though, whilst I can’t wait to get that tree out the house (goodness knows the trail of mess it will no doubt leave) I feel sad about taking the lights down. Not just the ones on the tree but around the mantlepiece and the dining area. I love switching them on and basking in their glow. I was thinking that I get it now why people put their decorations up early, like in November or even before (I am a stickler for the second weekend in December). Because we need the light, especially at this time of year. Especially now. I think I might leave some of the lights up for a bit.
I got this book for Christmas. I can’t wait to read it. I love DCI Barnaby, both Tom and John. I think DS Jones was my favourite sidekick but they’re all great to be fair.
Anyway, so I thought about cleaning and I thought about sorting things out (my office is a mess with papers shoved everywhere. It’s like Monica’s closet on Friends) but then I felt a bit tired and thought I really can’t be bothered so we sat down to watch Wake Up Dead Man. We have been trying to watch it for over a fortnight. The problem is I get about ten minutes in then fall asleep then have to go back a bit as I’ve forgotten what happened. So it’s like two steps forward, one step back every time. It drives my husband insane. But like I say to him it’s not my fault, I’m tired. Anyway this afternoon we watched it all and it was absolutely brilliant. I love a murder mystery and this Christmas I have been spoilt with Death in Paradise and two new episodes of Midsomer Murders. So it’s been a good festive season.
What next then? My head was telling me go and do something creative – like my daughter who was making her own lip gloss. It involved emptying out another tube of make-up. I must admit I felt quite stressed about the mess that was being created but bless her heart, she had tidied up after herself. So I thought about doing something meaningful but like I felt earlier, I couldn’t be bothered so I scrolled through Facebook and Instagram loads and even went on LinkedIn for a bit.
I recognised in myself the familiar sensation of wanting to get on (I’m quite famous for it really. My husband always says “right, let’s get on” when he’s impersonating me) which was a concept that clashed with my general lethargy. To be honest, I find a new year a bit overwhelming as there’s always so much stuff I want to do and achieve (especially in a big year like this when I have a milestone birthday coming up) and I feel that I really ought to get cracking. But I know too that there’s loads of time and actually I just need to relax and let things be. I was thinking actually about something my daughter said to me when we were playing Mario Kart over Christmas. I was terrible at it. Terrible. (Probably because my strategy was to press all the buttons at once). And she said to me: “Mum! Just go with the flow!” And I thought that was really good advice and it stayed with me and I’m going to try and hold on to that in everything really. (Didn’t make any difference in the game though. I still came last every time).
Anyway, I gave into the doing nothing-ness and after the beef had been eaten (thank you Good Food. I think you must share some of the fulsome praise I got from my husband (and the dog to be fair who expressed his delight with his enthusiastic chomping)) and the Panettone and custard consumed (because none of us had space on Christmas day) my thoughts turned to this diary.
I have ideas in my head all the time. Usually when I’m walking the dog or running (when it doesn’t feel like -4 or is dark. Which reminds me how annoyed I am that my running is curtailed in the winter by the dark. It’s so unfair. I generally love running (for real) but because I do all my exercise in the morning I often don’t go because it’s too dark).
Anyway, where was I? Yes so I have lots of ideas and some of them make them out of my head and this – A Life in A Day – was one of them. Why? Well, because I think that when we share a bit of ourselves we can create understanding and connection – and I think that’s so important right now. Always, really. And so I thought let’s set up an online diary, anyone can take part, and add their voice. And in fact I’d love to hear from people who wouldn’t normally take part in this kind of thing.
And the other reason why is because writing – and keeping a diary – is amazing. I get a new diary every January and it’s my storer of memories, my sounding board, my therapist! I always feel better for writing in it, every day. So ta-dah, here we are….
The thing that people may not realise though is how nervous I was/am when I put this idea out into the world. What will people think? Will they think it’s a stupid idea? Will they think who does she think she is? It’s more than a bit scary.
But the desire to do this – and other things – overrides my fears so I think ‘sod it’ and I do it anyway.
Of course, I do worry a bit that it won’t succeed, that people won’t want to take part, that it will just be my lone voice speaking into the abyss. But then I remember another thing I really learnt in 2025.
I have this in my office. A constant reminder. Some things will succeed, some things may not, but I always have to try.
And it’s to not fear failure. So what if you give things a try and they don’t work out? So what? It’s always better to have a go than not. And besides, the other thing I’ve learnt is that other solutions, other options can be found when things don’t go the way you envisaged. Which is just life eh? Beautiful, confusing, wonderful life.
My first day of January ended watching the new Harlan Coben series on Netflix in bed (well I say watching. Mostly sleeping. Though I did rally a couple of times and managed to go back and rewatch some scenes.) I expect that will keep my occupied for the rest of January.
Happy New Year.
May it be happy.
May it be healthy.
May it bring you everything you dream of.
*I forgot to take any pics on the first day of the new year for this diary entry. This was in spite of the fact that there was the most stunning sunset I could see from the window. No, no, I told myself, it’s about the moment and experiencing it fully. I don’t need a photo for that. (Also, that morning, during the copious amounts of tea drinking, I had started sorting through the 7,000+ pics on my phone to free up some memory. It has certainly made me a bit more ruthless when it comes to my photography endeavours.)
And now I’d LOVE to hear from you! Will you join me in our lovely online diary?
A Life in A Day 