2020/21 was what?

6th JULY 2020 - Italy beat Spain on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final, English pubs reopened, GP appointments by phone and video surged, dodgy fringes and silver roots welcomed the reopening of hair salons in England, and I walked into my first ‘job’ after years of running my own businesses.?Retirement hadn’t suited me and my days of voluntarily 'drug running' medication from Pharmacies to isolating patients, though satisfying, just wasn't enough for my all-cylinders-firing mind.

Reflecting now, I feel so privileged to have shared even a moment of the new journeys our Staffordshire Start-ups have begun. Many are flourishing but not all have survived the year in business. However, they all now have the confidence to have another go, perhaps when the timing is better for them, and certainly knowing so much more now than they did then, in terms of business and of self.

I’ve learned so much too!?Apart from the opportunity to update my psychotherapy and counselling skills along the way, I’ve seen how the determination and self-belief of the ordinary man can overcome the doubters (i.e., Lenders). I’ve seen those with self-esteem on the floor rise like a phoenix to create a whole new future for them and their loved-ones, and I’ve seen beautiful, kind and humble people create inspiring products and services to support those in need.

2020/21 was … MOMENTOUS. In whatever way the Pandemic touched our lives, I believe few of us will ever be the same again.?And this is a GOOD thing. For those that lost their jobs – my artist and performance friends particularly – a whole new raft of skills were obtained as they were financially forced to try something different, especially as they found their passion and flair for online entertainment.?For those that were furloughed, it gave an opportunity to slow down, breathe and think more clearly about what they truly wanted out of life. It readjusted the work-to-live rule. For those whose businesses were closed for a time, it gave them time to think about how their business ‘re-birth’ would be, and for those that have long-since yearned to open their own business and become master of their own domain, it gave the push some needed to just have a go. In fact, it gave me the opportunity to start again with another little business of my own too.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities.

I’m sticking with ‘the best of times, the age of wisdom, the season of light, the spring of hope’ and looking forwards to a fresh and more kind and considered future for us all.

Thank you my ‘Tribe’.?Remember always, I’ve got your back, and don’t forget to wave at me from your Ferrari.

Aly x