My favourite things of 2022

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens...

Like every other ‘content creator’ out there, I feel an inescapable urge in December to tell you about some of the things I’ve enjoyed the most this year. This year has been one of reflection and decision-making for me, as I think it has been for a lot of us: what parts of my 2019 life do I want back? What about the scaffolding of my life no longer serves me in this new world? What new experiences do I want to seek out? What’s important to me? How should I be spending my time? It’s easy to dwell on the low points, so this roundup is a chance to indulge myself and think about the high points.

1 - Favourite reading-related experience

(I’ll do a separate newsletter about my favourite books of the year, once 2022 is over - I often find myself really enjoying books I read in the lull between Christmas and New Year and it’s a shame to take them out of the running. If you’d like to recommend something you’ve loved reading this year, please do get in touch so I can add it to my to-be-read stacks!) 

I got to see Emily St. John Mandel at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this August! Her book, Station Eleven (affiliate link), has been in my top favourite books since I first read it in 2014, and I’m well overdue my next reread of it. One line from it (which I believe is originally from Star Trek) is destined to become my first tattoo, when I eventually make it past analysis paralysis of which typeface to use: survival is insufficient. 

2 - Favourite writing-related experience

Okay, this was also a book event - but it ticks over into this category because it inspired me to get my ass back in the chair and finish the first (and second!) draft of my novel. Rare Birds Books hosted a wonderful event with Jenny Colgan and Niamh Hargan (Mhairi McFarlane was due to make up the third of a fabulous trifecta but was sadly stuck at home with Covid) back in April and I found it so inspiring to get to chat to both authors. Jenny Colgan’s books were what really got me back in the joy of reading when I was a student (The Little Bookshop of Happy Ever After - affiliate link - will always have a place on my bookshelf), and I adored Niamh Hargan’s debut, Twelve Days In May (debut link). In particular, Niamh’s journey to publication has been a real encouragement to me. Like me, she has a corporate day-job, and it’s been great to see how she fits writing around that. 

3 - Most useful learning experience

I’ve spent most of my 20s single. Dating just wasn’t a priority, and when I finally decided to make it one (when I turned 26), the country shut down and I wasn’t allowed to get within two metres of a man for a good length of time. Over the last year and a half, though, I’ve been dipping my toe back into the pool, and even managed to have a six-month relationship with a lovely guy. The most useful thing I’ve learnt is this: there are people who one can ‘click’ perfectly with, with whom you can have tonnes of fun and really enjoy spending your time… and you still might not be right for each other. And that’s no-one’s fault. 

This might seem like an obvious reflection, but it was a really important thing I needed to learn. Whether your life circumstances aren’t compatible with each other (distance!), or you just want different things for your future, it doesn’t make either of you a bad person. 

4 - Favourite food

Out of all the things I’ve cooked, baked, and eaten this year, I think the best was probably this incredible caesar salad I had at Le Metropolitan in Nice. No dressing at all, so the leaves were crisp and the big shards of parmesan didn’t get lost. Gorgeously bright tomatoes, crunchy breaded chicken and smooth boiled egg. Absolutely delicious. 

5 - Favourite album

Red (Taylor’s Version). Obviously. State of Grace was my most-played track of the year but I’d say Message In A Bottle (one of the ‘Vault’ tracks) is my favourite. Getting to scream it out with hundreds of other Swifties at Swiftogeddon in October was a highlight, but that track has accompanied me on so many train journeys, runs, and walks this year.  If you’d like proof that I don’t only listen to Ms Swift, though, here’s a link to the playlist I’ve been building through the second half of this year. 

We’re less than two weeks from the shortest day of the year, everyone. We can do it!

Best,

Lily