Companies and apps have a new habit of ‘wrapping’ the last year. The whole thing is a document in your own consumerism, from the songs you listen to the most to how many minutes you spent staring at a screen trying to improve your Portuguese (or is that just me?).

We all buy into it, taking joy from the evidence of our every move online (or at least on our phones) being mined and researched so someone else can profit from it. We even share the findings, further doing the marketing work of these huge corporations for them.

But sometimes, it’s a good thing to look back over the previous twelve months and assess how far we’ve come – and consider where we’re going…

The most important things

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I most proud of this year?
• How did I affect the lives of others?
• What made me happy?
• What could I have done better?

For me, I feel like 2024 was the year that the original music projects I’m involved with finally got back up to speed. I’ve spent the years since the pandemic prioritising my work as a Music Therapist and live performer. But this year, I worked on two records for dear friends and my new band, Solcade, has had a successful year of shows, with plans to hit the studio at the very start of January next year.

In terms of live shows, 2024 has felt quite varied. My gigs have been a mix of grassroots slots, concerts and of course, lots of weddings and parties. I feel that I’ve been able to maintain a healthy balance between original and covers gigs recently, and with thirty dates already booked in for next year with a variety of acts, 2025 looks set to continue that trend.

Of course, there have been setbacks, but nothing that hasn’t left me (or the acts I work with) stronger. My therapy work has changed too, with some contracts coming to an end as exciting new opportunities begin. My plan for next year is to build upon these to grow the service I provide to children, adolescents and young people in  my region.

Quite a lot of this is still in the planning stages, but if the network of specialist creative therapists I’m trying to establish continuesnto grow, we will be able to reach even more people and help a vulnerable group build the life-changing mental resources needed to lead fulfilling and enriching lives. Wish me luck!

So that’s me. What about you?

The next steps

Now, having asked yourself about the year which is coming to an end, ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve in 2025?
• And what do I need in place to make this happen?

As always, let me know your thoughts, as well as your plans and hopes for 2025. My main suggestion would be to look after yourselves and each other.

Go easy on yourself and forgive yourself when things don’t go according to plan – then get back up and carry on.

Surround yourself with people who make you feel as happy and fulfilled and you are trying to make others feel. None of us can get very far through life on our own.

Now, I’m about to set up for me final show of the year – and because it’s a New Year’s Eve party, it will also be my first show of 2025. So since I’ll be busy at midnight here in the UK, allow me to take the time now to thank you all for reading these posts (as well as contributing your comments and messages) and wish you nothing but the best for 2025, and beyond!

Until next time. I’ll see you on the flipside…