January: Resolutions or Revelations

Well hello 2026! Sorry, i've been a bit quiet over the last month. Nothing has been quiet on the personal front but I do like to take some time in a new year to reflect on the past and notice any shift in priorities.

Ever since having my life on hold through our IVF years i've come to realise that as my identity shifts with age and life phases, so too do my priorities. That's not to say something that was a priority in 2025 is no longer on the list. Rather that the order of priorities needs a bit of a rejig.

I will be 45 this year. Yup. Official midlife. And while I don't ever fear ageing or the decade to come (I was giddy to turn 40), I am conscious of my body, perimenopause, my eyesight, collagen supplements, strength training - I mean the list goes on and that's just for me! Outside of the self-care, there's the importance of family, maintaining and strengthening the relationships that sustain me, the pursuit of happiness, and perhaps most honestly, a redefining of what happiness actually looks like to middle-aged me.

I found myself in my local pub on New Year's Day, having gone to bed at a glorious 9.30pm on NYE, writing down my new year resolutions. My six year old resolved to "get a bigger garden"- fair enough we agreed. I mused about learning to play the piano and learning Welsh - two things i've wanted to do for years. And then I realised it wasn't so much a resolution but more of a revelation. The shifting tides hadn't mean't I had a whole new set of challenges or dreams to accomplish, but that the things that really mattered to me now - in 2026 - had come into sharp focus. I want to live well, grounded by loved ones, with a sense of belonging and easiness in the world I inhabit. I could go on and on about how polarised and messed up the world is right now... a reality that has only dug in deeper over the course of January. But instead of running for the hills and isolation, I crave connection and conversation more than ever.

So allow me to continue this self-indulgent post with some snippets of this month that really have sustained me and filled up my cup...

My brilliant father-in-law, Professor Brian Morgan, added OBE to his accolades for services to the Welsh economy.

Brian is the beating heart of our growing family and we were all so proud when The Princess Royal awarded him his medal at Windsor Castle.

A few days later, Brian's latest granddaughter was born - Dilys. Welcome to the family, Dilly!

I spent many a sodden evening watching my son play football. He loves it and has a terrifying knowledge of every league, team and player. My interest in football is limited but I adore how much he loves it and how he's matured through learning how to play well* - body and mind - come win or lose. (*work in progress!).

The viral #2016 trend felt like something to get on board with. What a trip down memory lane! A decade ago marked the year I joined CNN, went on honeymoon, got a dog, and our IVF journey was in full swing - multiple rounds of treatments, surgeries, blood draws, injections, anaesthetics, scans.

I didn't know it at the time but trying to become parents would take over our lives, shape how we showed up in all our relationships, drain all our savings, inflict more pain and anger than I ever dreamed I could endure... but ultimately lead us to the greatest privilege of my life - motherhood.

I'm born English but feel very Welsh at heart, and definitely think if you cut me open i'd bleed a little bit green. Ireland is where I run to whenever i'm in doubt about anything. This month, there was no doubt involved. Just a visit to one of my oldest and dearest friends as she closed a chapter in her book. Four middle-aged women took on Dalkey, near Dublin. Hot toddies by an open fire, pub lock-ins, hill climbs in the horizontal rain, endless chats, plus so much laughter that my cheeks still hurt. Laughter has revealed itself to be the best medicine and I am resolved to do much more of it in the months to come.

I wish you well, dear reader (t-minus 2 days till Bridgerton returns!)

Till next time...