New Year's Eve 2023


Wonderful time on Majuba Beach with Char and the boys today. The cold wind we could feel when we got out of the car only lasted ten minutes, and then it was a lovely still afternoon. You could feel the sun'ssun's warmth, and the light across the sand was beautiful.

Had a real wholesome time at the play park and walking along the esplanade before going back to my folks' for lunch. The boys were all cuteness and smiles, and it was great to get out for some fresh air on a rare dry, bright day.

Lots of families out all doing the same. Such a nice vibe. Made me reevaluate my opinion on Redcar. It has its charms, for sure. 

Drove through Marske and along the coast road en route. None of it has changed, and my memory has stayed pretty faithful to it, if a little hazy in parts now. Would love to spend some time walking or driving around Marske and Redcar to rekindle some memories and write about them before I lose them.

It's been an interesting year, full of development, for sure. Adjusting to having two kids has been a challenge, but we're getting there. The boys have gotten much better with each other recently, so there's more fun and less drama now.

At the start of 2023, Charlotte asked me if I had a word for the year. I'd already settled on "opportunity."

And, during the year, I... 

  • Joined two paid copywriting communities
  • Got my first freelance clients
  • Quit my 9-5
  • Went deep down the copywriting rabbit hole, studied, and learned a ton—and lots of things started clicking as a result.
  • Also got a ton of practice in by stepping away from management and making copy my main focus. Improved my skills, understanding, and confidence immensely.


Fair to say I leaned into the word 'opportunity'. Now I need to concentrate on focused, structured effort and relationship building to build on what I've achieved this year and keep moving onward and upward.

My words for 2024 were going to be "focus" and "structure." But that's two words, and they feel too abstract to be meaningful. So it's going to be "relationships." Building them is how I get more from life now.

In bed reading Fight Club by 11:30. No midnight celebrations for me this New Year's Eve.


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