With the exception of Madrid and Qualifying as a counsellor (strangely on the same day !) 2025 has been an awful year.
It’s not been my worst but it ranks highly as a real pisser and is one that I now know I’ve almost survived
The threat of redundancy has made me view charities as businesses rather than just special places to work, and I never want to venture back to those sleepless nights where every following day may bring you the news that your job has gone alongside the way of paying for a roof over your head.
This threat brought the best and worst out in co workers
I’m so glad it’s over.
Losing the sight in my right eye is a wrench too
I’m clumsier than normal which is saying something
And that fall on the underground brought me up short too……but at least I no longer have to suffer the eye injections which were unpleasant to say the least
I feel I’m walking towards 2026 with a more sober head on
Where self care is vital
A trip to Florence, and a return to Madrid are planned
A proper return to the choir, and a judicious increase in counselling clients are on the cards
I’m making soup this afternoon.
Chorizo and bean and the fire is lit and the cottage is warm
Hey ho
You have endured and overcome so many annoying bothers that cropped up so should be proud of yourself for making it with the end of 2025 in sight. Snazzy new clothes, too!
ReplyDeleteFor 2026 you've planned worthy goals for work, play, and your book (?) and your soup and warm cottage are a lovely place to start.
We're with you!
Hugs!
Babs your loyalty and good humour has always lifted my spirits x
DeleteSome years just seem to go from bad to worse. 2025 is nearly over and you survived it all, the good, the bad and the downright ugly. If nothing else, you have realised where your priorities lie, self care, health and, if not happiness, at least contentment. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you HH X THANK you
DeleteI didn't realize you had lost the sight in that eye. That's scary. Layoffs and the threat of layoffs are horrible at any age, even more so at our age. Who would hire us?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have plans to look forward to. We're planning a trip to Vancouver Island and we're going to see the Inside Passage, as well as Bella Coola and the Great Bear Rainforest. We're also taking Jack which will be interesting.
Take care John and tits up:)
I think he’s losing the sight not lost it completely but I could be wrong. It’s the way I read it ..John it has been an awful year indeed peppered with nuggets of high notes….literally high notes as you went to see your beloved Spanish choir.
DeleteMake 2026 your own John,
You have , since 2018 ( the date I started following you) pulled yourself through those bad times, and this year is no different .
You give me hope that my quiet corner of rural America will become a nicer place to live
Keith
Xx
Thank you Keith , you are right,
DeleteMy eyesight is deteriorating much quicker than expected. Driving at night is a challenge
In full agreement - 2025 has been a fucked year- all around the globe! Finding innner peace has been challenging. I am so sorry you lost vision in one eye- I am getting injections still in my one eye and it is getting to be traumatic. Better than a glass eye perhaps but not fun. 2026 has got to be better for you. If wishes were horses...Carry on- with your big heart and humor! Best to you.
ReplyDelete🩷❤️🩷Linda Sue x
DeleteYou are a good man John. You give out a lot of kindness because that is your nature. For these reasons, a year from now, I hope you feel no need to tell 2026 to eff off.
ReplyDeleteThat’s kind …..the one thing I have learned this year YP is that I’ve admitted to everyone that things were shite
DeleteI wish you a much happier and healthier 2026 Mr Gray.
ReplyDeleteFlorence is something wonderful to look forward to. Can I come with you?
Diabetes and it’s ramifications has been more of a rollercoaster ride than I envisioned
DeleteI'm hoping for a much better year for you, John. This one was one damn thing after another. Happy New Year. Really!
ReplyDeleteThe uncertainty of my financial world was the biggest stressor…..work has settled down and a new mortgage has helped too
DeleteJohn, I hope 2026 is much kinder to you
ReplyDeleteDitto xx
DeleteYour change of employment will make a big difference in your day to day life. A positive difference! 2025 has been a terrible year all over the world.
ReplyDeleteWishing you, and All of us, a better year to come...
Yes, e
DeleteSeveral of my friends are going through very hard times , which doesn’t help anything
So say we all, e. Thank you!
DeleteHugs!
2025 has not been the greatest. That's for sure.
ReplyDeleteWorking as a counselor should prove rewarding and secure. The need is there for counselors, and I do believe you bring something very special to the table and your clients will benefit greatly.
Happy 2026.
I’ve negotiated a better rate each client which has helped this winter
DeleteMay 2026 be kinder to you.
ReplyDeleteFlorence! Please, please visit The Medici Palace
https://www.palazzomediciriccardi.it/en/the-palace/
It is where The Adoration of the Magi is…absolutely sublime. Need to book in advance.
Oh it’s on my list my dear friend, it’s on my list
DeleteIs there a single person in the world who has not had a bad 2025? Something about planets not aligning apparently: here's hoping 2026 is better and brighter for us all. Yes, work is a worry, and I am glad a new perspective has brought calm. So sorry to hear you have lost vision in one eye, but at least you know that now, and not expecting injections in the eye with trepidation. Glass half empty or glass half full? Go for glass half full - optimism over depression every time (voice of experience!!) We will march into 2026 with you and keep going forward. You deserve it, and you inspire us all, so think you are stuck with it! God bless, mate.
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Liz is my hero on Going gently ,
DeleteA voice of reason , she’s my Mrs Hall ( creatures Great and small)
Lee
lol I’m sure she will be touched you said that
DeleteIt’s not lost completely Liz but it’s heading that way rather quickly 😩. Thank you for pointing out that everyone’s year seemed to have been a rum one , that helps a little
DeleteOh! I have never even thought of being someone's hero - so thank you very much for that sweet and very humbling compliment, Anonymous (whoever you are, I'd love to know!) If you can compare me to Mrs Hall, a serious compliment in itself.Blimey) please can you post me the brilliant and delectable Sam West while you are at it?You would make an old lady very happy...
DeleteAnd yes, you are right, John. Touched indeed. And a bit blushing, to be honest. Thank you both for making my day/year with such kindness and generosity of spirit. Aw, shucks!
Here's to a much, much better 2026. And Florence! I loved visiting there and would do so again if I could!
ReplyDeleteYes, it’s finally back to Italy …🤪❤️🍸
DeleteMost years are mixed bags, John.
ReplyDelete2025? Let's just say it tested my mettle of which I have plenty. Still, one shouldn't wish time away. Does it all come out in the wash? Depends on the powder/one's disposition. What's a speck here or there?
Wishing you a 2026 which doesn't amount to an obstacle course - more than usual.
U
Yes, I expect ups and downs such is life…this year has been somewhat trying
DeleteI’m glad we are on friendly terms again
Dont be naive regarding Ursula, it's only a matter of time before the venom is released yet again.
DeleteWhen I look back over my last eight years it has been one damn thing after another. I'm tired of rising to the challenge, putting on a brave face and so on. It would be hypocritical of me to tell you to put your best foot forward as I'm about ready to acquiesce to my tiny, circumscribed life.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteI get you
I get you completely
I’m tired of fighting things alone
That’s my moan lol
Jx
All I can say about this year is that we've all stayed relatively healthy here in my own little family bubble. Physically, that is. But mentally, I think we are all suffering from this horrible time in our country wherein every day brings another horror, another unbelievable low bar crossed. It is very difficult to keep any sort of sanity amidst it all.
ReplyDeleteI wish for us and all the world that somehow, the end will come into focus.
And I wish for you a smoother, sweeter year.
And dear ms moon I hope your country soon sees sense xxx
DeleteI hear the very real pain and challenges – – but I also think how brilliant you were a few years ago to have chosen to begin studying counseling,
ReplyDeleteso that now there is that amazing bright light in this year,
shining on into the years ahead.
Bravo, John of the Past,
for taking care of John of the Future! ❤️
Thank you dearHeart x
DeleteThere was the presence of someone hanging over the world that did no one's mental health any good.
ReplyDeleteIndeed xx
DeleteOh John, Gentle John, so sorry about your health problems. But joy at your counselor status. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant in Florence or even what I ate but I still remember that a large group of teens came in and wanted to push tables together. The restauranter said no, no, no, until the group's adult...a priest...came in and convinced him in a quiet conversation. It was amazing and contributed to our dinner fun. But Florence was cold and windy and we moved on to San Remo after only two days. That was in April. It's a great city, John, enjoy yourself!
ReplyDeleteIf you remember the place please let me know and I will book a table just on your story xx
DeleteIt has been a rollercoaster of a year.
ReplyDeleteHere's to better times and less needless stress xx
Bottoms up 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸
DeleteIt's been a rough year for me too. Wishing all of us a 2026 filled with peace and joy!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs my friend x
DeleteI concur, 2025 has definitely been a challenge all round. Working as a support worker has it's own special challenges in that it is not totally secure work; only takes an extended hospital visit for a client or one passes away and there goes my income. Not like completely losing a job but almost seeing my wages halve overnight is unsettling to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise your eyesight in your right eye was losing vision is this because of the diabetes diagnosis or does that just make another condition worse? I think you have weathered many a storm over the past year with great courage and qualifying in your counsellor course was the icing on a very messy couple of years. The fact that all of your hard work has given you an ongoing income in another field is just brilliant. I don't think I could have taken on a new career at our age (we are the same age) I am older by a few months! I hope for you that 2026 starts of in a prosperous vein and continues; your booked trips will give you wonderful things to look forward too. I might have to take a leaf out of your book!
Jo , beautifully put my dear friend x
DeleteWishing all the good people in the world a better 2026. I won’t say what I wish on the others.
ReplyDeleteHugs
DeleteI seem to be in the same place as you John. I lost the sight in my right eye but am still getting the shots now every 6 weeks. I hope 2026 will be better for us. I am trapped in the house for the next few days, this morning I went out and slipped twice on ice trying to get to my car.. I decided to just get back to the house without going anywhere. If I fall down, I can’t get back up and it was really fridged out there. I hope you get more clients so you don’t have to rely on nursing. You will like Florence, I think. Hugs to you and the furry family. Gigi
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are looking forward to a better one, I know I am!!
ReplyDeleteYes, you've had more than your fair-share of woes this year. We all hope that '26 will bring you joy, and let's also hope that Putin behaves himself!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the luck in the world for 26.
ReplyDeleteChallenges, yes, but you have really risen to them this year and come out on top. May the coming years be easier.
ReplyDeleteI’m tired my friend xx
DeleteAll the very best for 2026. Onwards and upwards. Thanks for your blog; it always feels like words from a friend. Jxx
ReplyDeleteXxx
DeleteJohn, it was a year from hell for you, like, isn't ONE horrid thing enough, did it have to be a bunch of horrid things? I hate this saying, but fuck if it isn't true - what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, but I say, it makes us more committed, like you said, to caring for ourselves better. I have learned to cut the wheat from the chaff, and I will unfriend, block, eliminate, or chop off ANYthing and ANYone that doesn't bring me joy or that wants to cause trouble. I am saying yes to what thrills and uplifts me, and no to any dogma or old tribal bullshit. We've had our asses kicked here in the states by the orange oaf and his minions, and we shall NOT allow them to steal our peace. Here's to a much better 2026, for everyone!
ReplyDeleteAmen Karla my dearHeart
DeleteAlways look forward to the good to come.
ReplyDeleteI do
Delete🎶Things can only get better 🎶
ReplyDelete🌈❤️🩷😀😀😀
Delete2025 was a horrible year for most people I know. At least it has given us all something in common! Lets look to 2026 with a determination to make it a good year regardless of what gets thrown at us. X
ReplyDeleteI’m getting this message
DeleteYes, 2025 has been a crap year made grimmer with no end date in sight. You’ve done yourself proud navigating this year and I’m sorry you’ve had so many hard roads to travel. It’s the same here as my world and options continue to shrink through age, loss and circumstance so self care and finding ways to recognize moments of joy becomes a focus. A toast to a much better 2026!
ReplyDelete🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸
Delete2025 was my annus horribilis. Here's to better times old friend xx
ReplyDeleteDear Kath . You have been with me years xx
DeleteHi John, you really have had a s..t year and I do hope 2026 is far better. With your new counselling profession it will hopefully be easier to organise your time more flexibly. Are you continuing at the hospice for a while longer? I think a point comes when we realise the stress & pressures are not worth the mental & physical costs. We worry about making ends meet but in fact once out of a professional role it is easier to cut some costs, but still have time/ energy/ &strength to enjoy the special trips as we want. All the best for 2026 and push 2025 into the background. A funeral on the 2nd does not help me embrace 2026 but life goes on and I woke up this morning! Anna
ReplyDeleteAnna , thank u
DeleteI will be giving up the hospice when financially viable xx
It’s complicated
ReplyDeleteNot been a great year for me although when I look back there have been some high points. Hope 2026 gives you more of the good stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhen somene is already dating or "in a relationship" with someone else it is indeed complicated. It sounds like you already know he's not for you. Better luck next time.
ReplyDelete