It’s 2023 and I, like most of you, have big plans for this year. I’m also ready to embrace absolutely anything unexpected that comes my way! I had no idea last October that I’d be having surgery on my neck a month later, so who knows WHAT will come up this year! Today marks 7 weeks since my surgery and a visit to my surgeon tomorrow will hopefully give me the all clear to slowly start back into routine training.

It’s going to be a full day of doctors’ visits – I also have my annual trip to the gynaecologist. Last year, my first ‘lady’ check-up in Prague, I had such a fantastic time that I wrote a piece about it which got published in the Funny Women Magazine (read here). It started out with me telling the doctor that I really wasn’t a fan of these visits, and in her finest Czech accent replied “well, you’re my last patient so no-one will hear you screaming”. From that moment on, I knew we would be friends. Until of course, I kicked her in the face by accident, knocking off her glasses. It was all down-hill from there. I bet she can’t wait to see me tomorrow.

I had Covid a few weeks ago, which really kick-started my Christmas into, well, isolation. Luckily, Annabelle caught it too (imagine that!) so we were both forced into a week of Netflix, studying and writing. It was actually quite blissful. And now, as far as I’m concerned, I am extra-boosted for 2023.

So, I’d like to share with you my plans for this year, as well as offer some thanks to those who have been fundamental in my development as a writer. I won’t list everyone as there are far too many, but a few key people should be recognised.

My memoir ‘The Fish that Learnt to Swim’ is basically finished and now in the editing stages. I’m so excited about it and will spend the next few months polishing it off so it’s nice and shiny and ready to go. I’m so grateful to my writer’s group, Writing.ie Inkers on Facebook, who have nurtured me on my journey to getting it finished. In particular, Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin and Maria McHale, have played a pivotal role in getting me to the finish-line. Their mentorship and guidance have been second to none. Maria empowered me with a set of steel balls, and Vanessa made me see that I do not meander through life, but instead have a knack for cannonballing my way towards the many paths I have chosen to take in my 52 years. I’m excited to see them both at the launch of Vanessa’s book ‘The Mystery of Four’ next week in Dublin. (Get your tickets here)

David Gilna has also helped to shape me as a writer. His experience as a playwright, actor and performer has injected me with a playful giddiness, and together we have written a pilot episode for a new and funny sitcom. We plan on expanding this to a full six-part series – stay tuned.

Valerie Troy from my writers group came into my life about a year ago when she wrote a piece about her sunburnt bottom sticking to a plastic chair. I knew instantly we would connect, which we did, and ultimately wrote a pilot episode together for a screenplay. ‘Men-Oh-Pause’ was longlisted in the Female Pilot Club last year, so we plan on continuing down that route. Think French and Saunders, only Irish. ‘Troy and Doherty’ has a great ring to it, doesn’t it?

Barbara Scully, (Wise Up) who I harassed into agreeing to meet me last year, has been quietly nudging me with support since we had coffee. I’m a huge fan of hers and her unadulterated approach towards life as an older woman. She continues to inspire me, catapulting me towards the finish-line of my memoir.

Lastly, Catherine Lynch, who I have never met, has been my biggest champion on Instagram and promotes every single blog I write. I think she’s lost her marbles to be honest, but her crazy enthusiasm and ludicrous posts, along with constant shares of everything I write, does not go unappreciated. If you’re looking for life inspiration and unfiltered motivation to get through the day, check her out on Instagram. You won’t regret it.

I’m grateful for so much, not least of all for you, my readers, who have provided me with support and encouragement to keep on going. Your constant comments, calls, emails and texts have helped me believe that this is all worthwhile.

So that’s it for now. Short and sweet. I wish nothing but the best for you all in 2023. May you bounce through the year on super squishy shoes. May your health be as much as you need in order to do all the things you want to do. May your wealth be in surplus, allowing for some nice surprises along the way. May your hearts be full of joy and happiness as often as possible. And on the days that you feel like crap, may you allow yourselves the right to take a day off. You deserve it. No-one feels great all of the time. No-one.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and the heart of my bottom. I appreciate you all taking the time to read and laugh along with me on this mercurial life I lead.