I hope you had a good one?
We saw the bells in quietly with both sons – don’t young people go out to party any more? Then sat up late with music and food and wine and friends on the first. That’s how you start the year!
(As I’ve said before) I’m not a fan of New Year resolutions, unless they are the delightful kind. Start the diet/exercise regime in September, or whenever, not the dismal grey months.
But I will share one new “resolution”.
In the hurly burly of transport nightshift over Christmas I left my phone behind on one shift. This is frequently tantamount to forgetting ones right hand – I do also “work” on my phone. In the surprising breaks (it was not as busy as feared – don’t young people go out to party any more?) I was reduced to “reading” (an actual book), and rediscovered it as an almost forgotten pleasure. Somehow, although I do have many volumes on my kindle (and app) it is not the same experience.
Much more importantly though (I think), it completely prevents the overwhleming temptation to “doomscroll” on any electronic device – a failing that I know I suffer badly from, and that inceasing research suggests, does us no favours at all.
So, with a special eye on mental welbeing in ’25, I shall re-embrace the written word, and log off promptly whenever I’ve found the single fact I need (“ooooo! Everything you ever wanted to know about…. see full story”.)
No electronic device smells of paper (and leather) so it’s a delightful resolution anyway.
Happy New Year.
Next week on IaDL : Apparently, young people don’t go out to party any more.
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 