There’s an expression: ‘New year, new you!’, which I both agree and disagree with (I am a notorious both-sider and fence-sitter in my family). In my case, it is true in that 2024 will see the achievement of something that I have wanted for a long time but never managed – the publication of my first novel!

However, I wouldn’t really describe it as a ‘new’ me, because I have always enjoyed writing (and reading!), and have been scribbling away in earnest at various projects since 2020 (thank you, COVID).

Sadly, I am a MASSIVE procrastinator, and not always in the traditional form of just avoiding or putting off doing something. My ‘brand’ of procrastination has a very niche subsection, namely, I am unwaveringly committed to a project and complete the initial version, but then I keep polishing and polishing and polishing… and polishing… (you get the idea), until I am sickened by my own creation and think it’s absolute trash.

I am sure others suffer from this affliction too, but I have to admit: it’s horrible because a) you don’t finish anything properly, and b) you believe you have no talent. This kind of fixation on the process and not the end-result can therefore be very harmful (i.e., ‘the journey, not the destination’ mindset doesn’t quite fit my personality type).

Luckily, there are very necessary people in my life who, for want of a better phrase, push me to ‘pull the trigger’ and just do it. Thank goodness, or else I would never stop tweaking my knitting, crocheting, writing, sketches, etc. Deadlines are also dead helpful, especially if others are involved. All this to say: I am really happy I’ve pushed this project out of the nest and hope that (despite my misgivings as to its readiness) it will fly.

K.I.S.