I spent much of the Christmas period in bed. After a December of really going fully at life with zero holding back – work, socialising, projects – I think my body was simply giving me a signal to take it easy. I watched inordinate amounts of tv series (The Road Trip, The Day Of The Jackal, Gavin & Stacey, Strike) and existed on the triumvirate of healing Korean cooking: miyukguk (garlic and seaweed soup laced with tender morsels of beef), kimchi and white rice.
I’m writing this at the tail-end of that week, and just as I’m easing out of the aches and pains, grateful for the time and space to be held in solo, candle-lit bliss. 2024 was good to me. I spent pretty much half the year out of London, bouncing between Los Angeles, Cornwall and Vancouver. I turned 33 in Palm Springs with my favourite people, I spent the summer by the sea with old friends, watched my brother get married and enjoyed two months between the mountains, the city and the forest. I took a Head Of Brand role with Mother Root, launched a design project called Kettle Objects (still a few sets left!) and continued to write for over 4000 subscribers on this platform.
I have a feeling 2025 is going to be a different kind of year: slightly more restrained*, and ever so slightly more grown up? In truth I’m a little apprehensive about it all. Big life decisions abound, which would have once thrilled me in my twenties, but now they all seem a little more permanent.
But that’s how we grow. Thank you for reading my words on this corner of the internet - here are some things I’ve been consuming over the past couple of weeks. Happy to be back.
*Ed Note: It’s now 3rd January and can confirm I did not start the year slightly more restrained. The two day sickness – aches so bad they made me cry in the shower at 3am – that followed me into January has goaded me into total restraint.
Soup for sickness etc
I’ve pretty much eaten this meal on repeat for the past four days. For those who don’t know about miyukguk, it’s a seaweed and garlic broth made with water and beef bones traditionally given to mothers just after they’ve given birth as a way of healing the body. The collagen from the beef broth is so restorative, garlic is anti-inflammatory and seaweed is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. Kimchi is so good for your gut (I haven’t been eating enough of it), and rice must accompany any meal I have. Here’s a loose recipe…
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