The way it is, the way it was, the way it always will be... Or will it?

2020 was sh*t for everyone. There's no getting away from that fact. We have, however, an opportunity to look forward, transform our thinking and come out the other side stinking of fresh new initiatives, a mediated and fortified perspective of what the new normal is and what it can be.

Sure, we can resort back to the way we lived our lives before, for many that was the way it is, the way it was and the way it always will be. For others, maybe not so much. Perhaps we have been given a second chance, to right some social wrongs, to forgive and forget, to forge new paths, relationships and goals(?) Oh man, if I'm honest, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, I'm just trying to make sense of this car crash of a year. Someone once said to me "Imagine your brain as Waterloo Station in London. All those trains arriving every minute of every day, of different shapes and sizes at different platforms. Picking up a multitude of people and heading off in different directions. These are your thoughts and Waterloo is your brain station. Now imagine one platform. One train. Take a deep breath, deal with that train and send it on its way". This may or may not make sense to you, but it absolutely does to me. Take a step back, process and allow yourself a second to think.

I think I've been blessed with a logical mind (though my parents may argue). This year has given us all more than a moment of reflection. It has taught me resilience and strength, the requisite importance of being kind rather than cruel and that everyone around the world, no matter the background have all been acting like swans; graceful on the surface yet paddling like all hell to stay afloat underneath. I know I have. I've had a lucky year I'll say - I mean, it's all relative. I've left a job I loved and a city I loved. I had a relationship that broke down (for the better I'll say) but it does make you think... People have lost people in worse ways than I can ever imagine, so for that I AM the lucky one. And to those people, I send you all the love in the world.

I started a business; Mischief Managed Global with one of my best friends where we help those in the hospitality industry see their potential whether it is a bar or restaurant, event or booze brand seeking sales & strategy (www.mischiefmanaged.uk). We helped organise the World's First Socially Distanced Festival on an Estate in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. Hosting 30,000 people over twelve weeks, all socially distanced. I knew it wasn't going to be a year churning out business but I probably underestimated COVID and its effects on our economy ever so slightly. I have always had work, I count my lucky stars I am deemed employable but for a few months toward the end of the year I found myself in some sort of professional purgatory. And now, I have been given the opportunity to work for a dynamic Manchester based alcohol brand by the name of Zymurgorium (zymurgorium.com). They/we are forward thinking business looking to invest in its teams across the board, looking to achieve exponential grown at a time of uncertainty and in an industry where other companies are retreating and conserving and it's most definitely hit me like a breath of fresh air.

Let's continue looking up, looking forward and showing one another the kind of respect we want in return. I understand I may come across a little bit preachy this blustery Tuesday morning, but I woke up in a serene yet solicitous mood and found myself in the office in this quiet corner of Irlam, Manchester wanting to share a couple of coffee cup thoughts. I wish you all a brilliant day and even better year.