Say my name, say my name.

2026, still a top listener of Cher, still proud of that. Patiently waiting for her next volume.

It’s January, it’s cold and my renewed my website subscription for another year, regardless of the fact that I’ve not posted in 6 years. Why dear reader? I wish I could give you a reason, I think it’s an overall change in habits that started in the pandemic (Less commuting, and generally doing things outside). I’d like to see if I can turn that around this year, and start with a bare minimum one post a month to see how I get on.

I’m aware that blogging is not cool, but it might just circle back around again. I’ve never been a fashionable person in any sense of the word, and that doesn’t bother me as much as it bothers others.

So what will I write about?

Since it’s the season, I shall talk about resolutions. This year I’ve decided to take the approach of calling them goals, with the aim to see it through to the end of the year, and not end when Winter does. Like a lot of Brits, Winter gives me the blues and my way to counteract them is to focus on achievements (or video games). But, as soon as that sun comes out, the promises set on the 31st December are out for the window.

It also helps, I think, to structure resolutions much like a SMART goal (it’s performance review season, stay with me), but we can drop the formality of it and Gemma-fy:

Goal – what it is and what it isn’t.

Evidence – The details, how are you going to get there.

Measurable – whether it’s a number, a percentage or a tickbox, track that progress.

Manageable – This is so important, commit to what you can realistically achieve, not to what you want to achieve if you had the time, money, second home etc

Aligned – Review after a few weeks or months and understand whether this goal is still a priority, realistic or needs more work, Or less work. Refresh your goals, especially after Winter is over.

Mine? I have 5 to start off with:

Master 3 bread recipes.

Listen to new music every month

Read at least one book a month

Fit before 40

Save money for the big renovation

Seems like I have a few blog topics after all.

Peace out kids xoxo