Glasgow, Scotland, UK • December 2022 • Length of Read: 2 Minutes
Welcome to my seventh annual year in review, in which I take a moment to reflect on our most recent trip around the sun, reminisce over the good times, and take stock of what makes me truly happy in this life. With Eva still living in Yorkshire, I took advantage of hybrid working at the beginning of 2022 to spend one week per month exploring this historic county; seaside towns, cultural villages, picturesque walks, and the industrial estate of CrossFit Teeside. Long distance relationships suck, but not once did it cross my mind that we weren’t going to make it work.
In March, I started a new job, which has proven to be exactly the step forward in my career that I was looking to make. I’ve become steadfast in my own expertise and resolute in the value that I add through my skillset. Becoming comfortable with saying ‘no’ is also a realisation that I’ve made, giving more respect to my own time and desires. My progress in the gym continues, with strength gains, improved gymnastic skills, and completing organised races at the 5km, 10km and half marathon distances. I’m thoroughly enjoying this fitness journey and, despite it now taking precedence over my writing (and this blog), I’m excited to see where I can take it.
The soundtrack to my calendar year was spearheaded by Raised by Hailey Whitters, Skeletons by The Brothers Osbourne, Young Pilgrim by Charlie Simpson, Growin’ Up by Luke Combs, and Palomino by Miranda Lambert. Five books that I couldn’t put down were The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, and The Storyteller by Dave Grohl.
And as tradition states, here are the top five moments that I want to remember 2022 by:
After nearly 3 years working as a Group Accountant for an engineering company, I commenced a new role as Financial Manager for an industry-leading power and energy supplier.
Completing the Isle of Skye Half Marathon with Gadams, Jason and Euan, followed by a Ceilidh and road trip exploration of the Hebrides.
Joining the CrossFit Glasgow Competitor Cell and taking 5th place in my first competition, The Castle Games in Middlesbrough.
Enjoying a relaxing island getaway to Corfu with Eva and her family, further immersing myself in the Greek culture and way of life.
Eva securing a clinical psychology role in Glasgow, passing her driving test, and moving back home. I couldn’t be more proud of her achievements.
My calendar for 2023 is already filling up, with trips to Paris, stag dos, fitness competitions, and weddings all pencilled in. Yes, work is important, but to me it’s not the be-all and end-all. We will be hosting 3 of Eva’s friends over Christmas, and then her sister and sister’s husband over New Year. Now I’m in my thirties, I have begun to cherish this time spent with family and friends more so than ever before, and I need to gently remind myself of this when the stresses and strains of life begin to weigh. I’ve ditched social media, it was having too much of a grasp on my life, and by doing so I feel better connected to those I care about more than ever before.