2021 - three chapters and lots of learning

Through a pretty bumpy year you find joy in the simplest of things and when you take the time to reflect, there has been some epic moments too! 2021 was a year of three chapters and lots of learning:

Jan to April

I turned into the most disciplined version of me and wrote a book. Sitting at my yellow desk, I made my words become my travel memoir, now known to the world as ‘Follow Your Joy’. My writing became my escape as Scotland once again found itself in a lockdown. The writing process felt therapeutic, floaty, confronting, frustrating and, thankfully, at times magical. It felt like therapy. A way to make sense and appreciate my life to this point.

Just me, my words and a laptop.

My first blog post was published early 2021 – Don’t Let Life Draft By - and I found my writing practice.

When I handed over my final draft in mind April, I escaped for a few days to an amazing cottage in the Highlands with a hammock and hot tub. It was my present to me. We were allowed out of a fout month lockdown and to top it off my best friend had a baby!!

May to September

My words grew into an actual book. It was returned to me by a lovely Editor Tom, the front and back covers were designed, and I reread the book for the millionth time. The publishing a book process started to feel a little overwhelming at times. Terrifying. But also exciting.

As spring turned into summer I explore. First the North Coast 500 where I ended the trip by hiking Ben Nevis – with snow and blue skies, definitely a highlight of 2021. I hiked Scafell Pike when I stayed near Lake Windermere. The whimsical Lake District.

Me and the parents visited my baby sister in Bristol, to explore her new house. We danced with Chantelle – a drag act. Bristol felt alive. Scotland enjoyed a mini heatwave and the football team drew against England. I gate-crashed my big sisters holiday in Blackpool to make memories with my niece and nephew. I revisited Liverpool and enjoyed the street art in New Brighton. I explored more of the East Coast of Scotland – East Neuk – and some of my favourite cities – Aberdeen and Dundee.

I enjoyed the rewards of running a street art Instagram page and joined some cool people at the opening of a street art gallery in Glasgow.

I designed and launched my first online course – Design Your Life To Achieve Your One Thing.

I started a weekly Follow Your Joy newsletter filled with some joyful shares. I never thought I would keep it up but love how it allows me to have a weekly reflection.

I recorded my first podcast with the curious Anne. And blogged on my 16 week marathon training journey.

After a very long time, live events returned and I felt grateful to experience Blossoms, Dermot Kennedy and James ‘Not a Life Coach’ Smith live.

I took some time out from working a 9 to 5 job and managed to enjoy day trips with my niece and nephew.

The finale to this chapter, I ran the Great North Run in Newcastle – one of the iconic half marathon events in the world. Now that felt special.

October to December

What a whirlwind.

To celebrate journeying through the final hurdles to 'becoming an author' I escaped to Paris. It was magical.

Feeling very grateful, I hosted the most joyful ‘Follow Your Joy’ book launch party in Glasgow, with all my favourite people. My book, yes my book, published on my birthday – 5th October. I hand delivered some of my books to its first book store.

A lovely journalist captured my store which was featured in the Glasgow Times. As part of the Follow Your Joy book marketing I recorded four more podcasts, wrote an article on Joy for a membership magazine with 178,000 subscribers. I am described as a Joy expert. And featured in a Glasgow lifestyle magazine.

Life started to feel a little ‘normal again:

Ran my fastest marathon...yet...in Manchester. Welcome 3:37!

Surfed and hiked in Madeira.

Danced all night at my cousin’s wedding.

Saw Tim Peake live to be inspired by his astronaut stories.

Explored Cyprus with a hire car.

Strolled around Ireland, breathing in the freshest of air.

And experienced a family Christmas back home!

Ten Things 2021 taught me

1.       I am stronger than my wild thoughts. I am not my wild thoughts. Don’t be afraid of your wild thoughts.

2.       Keep moving forward as you will soon find yourself on another experience and you will look back and think "I did that"!

3.       Remove all labels and expectations as you will only be disappointed.

4.       Deliberate Practice is key.

5.       Escape into nature as often as possible.

6.       Have a goal, but keep focused on the process – highs and lows!

7.       Share your joy back. Always.

8.       Live and learn. Adjust then continue.

9.       Laugh often

10.   Be playful