Ask me about THAT over a chardy

I had dinner with a few of my old magazine mates earlier this week.

We had such a good natter about friends and foes in the industry and what they were up to these days. We also gave each other the abbreviated rundown on our personal lives – 2016 has been quite the year for us. A few hours passed in a noisy, animated blur.

As we were saying goodbye, the girls asked how I was going. You know, generally.

I said life was good … and a smile crept across my face.

Things seem to be settling into a better place. Fingers crossed, knock on wood and all that.

I mean, my life has its screwed up elements, like my terrifying credit card bill, rollercoaster hormones and a bizarre blog stalker (ask me about THAT over a chardy, it’s a corker), but overall it’s pretty lovely.

Yesterday, I went to lunch with a couple of DD’s friends and told them how my neck has finally stopped hurting after years of chronic pain. It would get so jammed up sometimes that my whole shoulder would freeze and I’d need extensive physio to get it moving again.

That’s all gone. Had to be stress.

I also noted that I’ve spent my career feeling “useful but not valued.” It’s a revelation to feel both those things in my new role.

I’m not living a kit-and-kaboodle fairytale ending. There’s still a little voice in my head that whispers awful things.

I wonder if it will go one day too? I hope so.

And middle-aged love comes with its own unique challenges.

Oh, and I could really do with losing a few kilos from my frame (maybe I’m gaining the kilos DD is losing as he gets fighting fit).

But, all in all, I feel pretty blessed this Christmas.

I hope there are blessings in your Christmas too, despite the curve balls life might have sent you in 2016.

Song of the day: Natalie Merchant “Wonder”