A brief overview of my year

Main events

  • My little boy turned 1 year old, so I had my first experience of doing a child’s birthday party.
  • Had holidays in Llandudno and Christchurch, Dorset.
  • Became an uncle for the first time. The family is growing, and everyone is full of joy.
  • Finally bought a new house after months of living with my parents for logistical reasons.
  • Began learning web development via the Odin Project.
  • Made a good friend at work, and reconnected with some old friends.
  • Participated in the teacher strikes this year.
  • Published several cryptic crosswords on mycrossword.co.uk. My crossword setting and solving improved a lot over the year. I ran a crossword club at school.
  • Survived an OFSTED inspection (outcome: “Good”)
  • Started this blog 🎉.

Patterns and themes

  • My progress in learning web dev slowed once the new school year started — many factors involved here, including workload, parenthood, living situation
  • Started lifting weights in August. Things started to fall off a bit in December due to a spike in workload (many end-of-term exams to mark). However, I’m still keen to go; I’ll pick the habit back up next week
  • Stress levels have been very high throughout the year, primarily due to work, but of course also to do with staying with parents, moving house, and so on.
  • Latter part of the year have had a big focus on family and marriage. Our living situation, together with my workload and stress levels, have been challenging for us all.
  • Got ill quite a bit in the first half of the year, but haven’t had a sick day since school started in September.

Favourites

Didn’t have time for much culture this year, but the best book I read was Neuromancer.

Looking ahead

  • Keep making progress in learning web development
  • Keep going to the gym
  • Keep focusing on the family

Happy new year 🥳