Somehow, tomorrow is the last day of January.

This first month of 2017 has been a rollercoaster of chaos, to put it politely. February is likely to be much the same unless something happens to calm the flames of madness that appear to be taking over the Western World.

On a more personal level, January has been a month of finding my feet in various ways and has actually gone quite well.

I’ve got into a habit of visiting the gym regularly and eating more healthily (don’t worry, I haven’t given chocolate or cake up, just curbed my intake a little!) and I’ve found a reading rhythm that I can keep up.

We bought a new car, called her Foxtrot and settled her into the Shropshire lifestyle by getting her suitably muddy. (I have just about got the hang of driving her without stalling now, too!)

I have just about learned the way from my parents’ house to all the local hospitals so I can drive my Dad to his appointments without feeling like I’m going to get lost at every turn.

I’ve read five books towards my year’s goal of 52 and none of them have been awful, even though two were nothing like what I usually choose to pick up:

13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough

The Death House by Sarah Pinborough

English Passengers by Matthew Kneale

How It Works: The Mum – Ladybird Book

The Wicked Wit Of Queen Elizabeth II

I have also started reading the illustrated edition of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets with Tori, which is great fun.

I discovered and fell in love with a new To-Do list app called Habitica which combines a to-do list, positive habit building and daily chores with an MPORPG adventure complete with quests and rewards. Apparently this is what is required to get me happily doing housework – a funny, old-skool RPG version of me that requires armour and a steed and has daring quests to defeat with my friends, living in my phone!

I have also embarked on the adventure of weaning off my anti-depressants – I’m only a few days in and so far so good. Only half a day completely lost to feeling terrible and hiding in bed, which doesn’t feel too bad. The slowly, slowly approach my doctor advised seems to be the way to go.

All in all, January has been a positive start to the year inside the bubble of my home and family.

Outside the bubble is another matter but we are doing our best to do our bit there too. Being kind, helpful, respectful and loving and not standing in silence as everything crashes down around us. It’s not much in the grand scheme of things but it is better than nothing.

Keep safe, be kind, keep dreaming and join the Resistance.

Humanity is strongest when we stand together in love – don’t give in to the hate and division, stand your ground and protect the peace. ❤️