Thanks to Prof. Dr. Molly Steenson for initiating this habit in 2005.
- What did you do in 2024 that you’d never done before?
I prioritised holidays and therapy - Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t make any. - Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. - Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. - What countries/cities did you visit?
By train: Lille, Stuttgart, Amsterdam & Rotterdam
By airplane: Rome, Athens/Hydra, Montréal, Venice - What would you like to have in 2025 that you lacked in 2024?
It was a good year for organising, introspection and reading but I’d like to prioritise physical activity, making and creativity next year. - What date from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory?
September 3rd. - What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Complete 10 months of talking therapy and doing yoga regularly again. - What was your biggest failure?
Uncontrollable weight gain (due to poor quality of sleep and perimenopause) - Did you suffer illness or injury?
My knees aren’t very happy but other than that nothing serious. - What was the best thing you bought?
My first piece of haute couture from Issey Miyake for a friend’s wedding. - Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The women fighting for abortion rights anywhere in the world. - Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians. - Where did most of your money go?
Probably Potter and Reid and Rambutan. - What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A Thingscon reunion where I saw all my friends. - What song/album will always remind you of 2024?
The Head Hurts but the Heart Knows the Truth by Headache - Compared to this time last year, are you:
More worried but less self pitying. - What do you wish you’d done more of?
Cycling, saving money. - What do you wish you’d done less of?
Said ‘yes I can help’ at every opportunity at work. - How will you be spending Christmas?
I am cooking Christmas Day lunch for my friend J. and his mum. - Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
J. - Did you fall in love in 2024?
No. - What was your favourite TV programme?
No television series at all. - Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. - What was the best book(s) you read?
The Patrick Melrose novels, On Giving Up, Why We Sleep, The Old Man and the Sea were all great. - What was your greatest musical discovery?
More recently the triligual rap artist Saint Levant. - What did you want and get?
A chance to hang out with my niece and nephew who came by with their parents this autumn. - What did you want and not get?
Great sleep. - What were your favourite films of this year?
The Vanishing (1988). - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It’s next week. Am working that day but going to Noble Rot with J. for dinner. - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Romantic love. - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2024?
Trying to keep up while being a silver fox. - What kept you sane?
Conversations with J. (as always). - Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No time for that. (same answer for the last 10 years) - What political issue stirred you the most?
The UK elections this summer. - Who did you miss?
M. who died 3 years ago.
Dad who died 9 years ago this week.
Mum, who is having a shit time with cancer. - Who was the best new person you met?
S. - Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024.
Qui ne risque rien, n’a rien. - Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
It feels like the world’s a dream
Right up until I remember
the smell of her hair blowing in the wind
You aimed for my eyes
But you forgot that the heart is where all the action is
– Headache