2025: Reflecting back and looking forward
This year will be the last that I am taller than my eldest son. There’s nothing quite like rapidly sprouting children to remind you that time is passing, sometimes a lot faster than we’d like. As the end of another year draws nearer, many of us will be taking a moment to pause and reflect. I find myself contemplating familiar questions: What have I achieved this year? Have I tried anything new?Have I spent enough time with friends and family? I think we can all find things to be proud of, even if they were unintentional. OK, so I still haven’t cleaned the kitchen cupboards (last year’s resolution), but I am now efficient at reversing a trailer!
This year has been another busy one. Between working, raising three children, caring for a menagerie of animals and volunteering, spare time is almost non-existent. Admittedly, I don’t help myself; adding Nala, a stray cat from Cyprus, and Kevin, the cute, but incorrigible, Yorkshire terrier, to our brood probably weren’t the wisest choices I made this year. Nor was taking on the extra responsibilities of vice chair for the school governing board and welfare officer for the local football club. But would I change any of them? Probably not. I’m a firm believer that we regret the things we don’t do far more than the things we do.
Work has also been eventful, with new clients coming onboard, bringing new therapy areas opportunities, reminding me why I love my job – the variety of work, building new relationships and, ultimately, helping to improve outcomes for patients. This year I have stepped into a new role as principal medical writer – a promotion that brought fresh challenges and opportunities.
Balancing personal commitments with professional growth is never easy, and I’m sure next year will bring new challenges. I remain extremely grateful for both my support network of fellow parents, who work together to ensure every child is where they need to be, and for my amazing work colleagues, who provide the flexibility and support essential for balancing demands.
As we look ahead, a new year always seems full of promise. While I’m not big on new year’s resolutions (mainly because mine rarely last beyond January!), I do embrace the sense of hope and ambition that January brings. For me, that means continuing to grow in my role and embracing opportunities, collaborating with clients old and new to create innovative solutions that make a difference. I also plan to try to take a little more time for myself, learn to say ‘no’ slightly more often, and, who knows, maybe I might even clean those cupboards!
Here’s to a year of growth, balance and supporting one another to thrive.
