New Year, new… what?

It’s not just me is it?

There was a time when the only thing I had to be mad at was the whole New Year, new me tyranny – I never thought it could be replaced by something as rubbish as the current New Year, whole new level of shit situation.

The first few days of January brought with them what could politely be called a bumpy start in my world, and while it seemed things might be settling down, the days since mid-February have proven otherwise. Maybe I should have paid attention to all those social media posts warning about the impact of the new moon, a solar eclipse and the Chinese new year all happening within the same period of time.

I won’t go in to detail on the litany of the happenings, suffice it to say that while some have caused practical and/or emotional disruptions on the small and merely irksome side (if plentiful), others had a major and/or downright serious impact – some personally and some to the world at large. Frankly, I’d been hopeful of a quiet year, one in which I could reclaim some of the forward momentum lost last year. It seems clear I may’ve been overly optimistic. I’m confident if I was to share the happenings of the past two months with an old friend, she’d ask me her trademarked question: “what’s your middle name… Lucky?”

Except it’s not just me… is it. I know this for a fact because of the absolute shitshow currently happening in the Middle East. I have tried to pull back from the News – hard to do when you live with a news junkie – but I’ve managed to do so (evenings and weekends excepted) until Himself’s employers managed to display such spectacular incompetence that he’s been at home for the past week. Not that he knew it would be a week, or we’d have made plans to fill it. Instead he’s been stuck at home, waiting for the call to return on a day-to-day basis, leaving him fidgety and, unsurprisingly, watching and/or listing to as much news and analysis as could be crammed into our waking hours. To be entirely fair to him, even at my most determined, it’s a struggle to turn away when there’s missiles and bombs raining down on yet another part of the world.

I’ll be honest – I’m a tad hacked off (British understatement alert). 2026 was always going to be a year of big change for me, and not being entirely comfortable with change which is imposed upon me rather than chosen by me, has caused anxiety to raise it’s unwelcome head. Especially unwelcome as, after 25 years, I am back to job hunting – and I don’t need to tell any of you that employers don’t like to recruit people of my age, and that’s before we acknowledge prospective employees of my gender have been invisible since we turned 50 (nearly 20 years ago in my case). So… at a time when I could do with feeling at the top of my game, life and it’s multiple shit-shows are most unwelcome.

I’ve been trying to figure out what methodology to use to shove me out of my anxiety cave, ‘cos being nurturing and gentle with myself is surely not working, and I really must get myself a new job before I forget how the world of work – ahem – works.

In an attempt to spark something, I booked myself an appointment with my old hairdresser. It’s been years since he was my go-to and, I’ll be honest, my hair really misses his skills. Some years ago, I professed the firm belief the right hairdresser was more important than even a good doctor. With age and physical deterioration I’ve promoted both doctors and physical therapists, but I cannot deny I’m missing that quiet confidence a really good haircut reliably gave me.

Even worse, I’d just started to feel comfortable diving back into my preferred literary fiction books rather than the comfort reads where I have resided for the past few months. I have a significant backlog on my Kindle of challenging and weighty tomes, because all I can seem to manage (again) are mysteries or my light-hearted fun reads… and their supply is rapidly drying up.

What’s your go-to for an uplift in confidence? Do you have any procrastination killer suggestions to share?

© Debs Carey, 2026

20 thoughts on “New Year, new… what?”

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  1. Don’t know that I have a go-to Debs. I just know that I’ve handled many, many things in my life and somehow managed to come out the other side still standing. There’s always compromise, often unplanned change from my ideal, sometimes financial readjusting (doing without), lots of swearing, some feelings of martyrhood and lots of asking why. I think I learned to simply keep moving from my father because doing anything else just wasn’t what was expected.
    I hope things even out for you soon 🙂

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  2. Thanks Deb. It’s good to be reminded of the fact that I’ve been here before and came out the other side, if not entirely unscathed, still with plenty left to give. Your combo of swearing, martyrhood and lots of asking why sounds both familiar and like a good path to follow again. Interesting that you learned that type of resilience from your father – my father was a great example of the same too. Thankyou for your good wishes, they’re much appreciated.

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  3. The world is indeed a dumpster fire, thanks to Putin, fascist propaganda, capitalism, and American stupidity (sorry, world, we are trying to right our sinking ship). Oh, and religious fundamentalism. And the patriarchy. And it’s tough when one’s personal and professional life are impacted. I do wish the idiots in the US would FINALLY realize that a) Republican presidents trash the economy, b) start wars, and c) only serve the oligarchy. I don’t know why they have to keep relearning this every decade. I want to bang my head on my desk, but healthcare is expensive. Anyway, I’m sorry everything sucks, including this year. Wish us luck in the midterms and here’s hoping cholesterol saves the day.

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  4. I have never been so invested in the US midterms as I am this year. There’s stuff happening atm which would normally trigger my flying to the US but, because I’ve expressed my views on a the current administration in a most unfavourable manner on social media, likening Trump to Robert Mugabe being just one example, it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I could’ve kept my mouth shut, of that there is no doubt, but…

    Many of my UK friends are in shock at the recent Netflix documentary on the manosphere, not having realised how bad it’s gotten, whereas I’m trying to be kind but wanting to yell “what rock have you been hiding under?” And breathe…

    Any new baking going on chez Autumn & Andy to divert us? Except I note that I’m in WP jail as my comments aren’t appearing on your last post!

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  5. You are in jail?! I will check! Not much new baking going on here. I can probably dig up some drama on Baby D’s first school dance or soccer dad drama, but right now local elections and volunteering are taking up most of my extra time.

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  7. Regarding the terrible state of the world, I’m not the type who can turn away. I want to know everything that’s happening. I keep from freaking out by remembering that it’s always been thus. (I like Stoic philosophy). And I can always find something that gives me hope. When Trump was elected yet again, I decided he was bound to make such a mess of things that even people who voted for him will start to turn away. He made a mess of things faster than I thought, but it’s taking longer than I thought for people to catch on. Still, I’m convinced that he’s going down.

    When I think of Ukraine, like a good Catholic, I pray for them and send them money. I also watch videos of the soldiers doing their morning dances in a bunker somewhere, coming home with an armful of flowers for their wife or girlfriend and a big, tearful kiss for their kids. I watch them line the roads to greet returning POWs and the way everyone in the country stops what they’re doing at 9 am ( I think it is) for a moment of silence for their soldiers. They’re so very inspiring.

    Regarding job hunting, I’m not the one to ask.

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  9. Thank you for checking. Obviously I enjoy the reading, but it’s frustrating to type a message and then see it disappear before my eyes.

    Baby D’s first school dance sounds like something to be banked for when all the other stuff is behind you. I shall be hopeful of it’s appearance in the future.

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  10. Thank you Nicki – your response is both throughtful and thought-provoking. I convinced myself I was better off hiding away, but I’m not. All that’s done is left me feeling hopeless rather than hopeful, and hope is such an important component of living.

    The (lack of) speed of Trump’s followers in realising how much they’ve been lied to has been depressingly slow. It lead me to wonder how many have slipped into shame rather than anger. While I find that surprising, I can see having to admit to being duped or having acted stupidly requires a degree of character which is likely missing.

    I have subscribed to a number of Ukrainian social media channels, but haven’t been watching (that same ill-advised hiding away impulse). What you’ve described sounds extremely uplifting and inspiring – time to get my head out of the sand.

    In terms of job hunting, I believe my prime issue is mindset rather than the mechanics. Your words have been extremely helpful in changing that, thank you so much.

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  12. What’s your go-to for an uplift in confidence?

    Bourbon helps.

    Do you have any procrastination killer suggestions to share?

    I’ll get back to you on those.

    But seriously, I’m sorry you’re going through all this right now. The world is indeed a depressing place, and the news just seems to grow worse each day. I’m really hoping you (and all of us) see brighter days ahead.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Thanks LA, that’s a great take on the situation. I shall give it a try. Interestingly, I’ve pushed myself to try reading the longlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and it has done me good. Now just to schedule the pedicure and the crap TV! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Mark, you’re the same as most of my friends who tell me the problem is I rarely drink anymore! I tried gin (and tonic) the other day and ended up with a killer headache. Maybe the Irish whiskey would’ve been a better choice as I find Bourbon a tad sweet.

    Yes, it is a pain, but I can’t linger in my wallow any longer waiting for the world to stop it’s shite. I’ve been in touch with an old friend who manages to be kind & uplifting, while also kicking my arse. I thought she’d given up coaching, so am delighted to find otherwise. But thank you for your kind words, they’re much appreciated.

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  18. Yeah, this year has turned into one big shit-show, I agree. Our flaming narcissist is (literally) blowing up the world. I agree that watching the news is now akin to walking in some dark alley late at night: you never know what’s waiting for you. I wish you well on the job search. I thought after we’d move here that I might try my luck at the local university to see if they might have something in one of their many libraries. I subscribed to their job openings, and I can already see that I’m either way over-qualified or that what they do have requires full time, low pay, and evening/weekend duty(which I don’t want!). My confidence uplift is usually something aerobic like a good, long walk and music blaring in my head.

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  20. Marty, yup those are similar issues to the ones I’m hitting. There’s been a number of jobs which looked absolutely perfect but which have been dubbed “apprenticeship” which seems to be signalling that they’re looking longer-term than they may expect me to continue working. The weekend/evening working issue is also ever-present, but that’s part of why I got out of counselling/coaching, so not really looking to go there again. I wish you luck too – if only people would take off their blinkers, they’d see that anyone over-qualified could (I might even say should) be considered a bonus for them.

    I’m thinking the walk but music is a good idea. I don’t wear headphones on walks in the town as the pavements (sidewalks) are limited to non-existent, so would be asking for trouble. But there’s a popular dog walking area just on the edge of town where the surface is both secure underfoot and just busy enough (plus the bonus of dogs to pet). There’s also a great cafe for an after walk beverage. I shall give it a try.

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