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Sweat, sequins & potatoes

Hello cherubs! 🥰

First things first: well fucking done for making it through the holiday season and reaching this point (however that’s looked for you!). I know there were probably a fair amount of extra stressors and overwhelming moments but look at us, still here! I’m proud. 💜

My holiday season was its usual mixed bag of all the emotions: massive gratitude for the good things, massive love for the people around me, heavy heartbreak and feelings of discordance for the state of the world, the relief of having a rest, the anxiety of feeling (in moments) like resting wasn’t okay, the joy of watching joy in others, the pressure of the incoming New Year…

I guess these are all very normal human emotions to have around this time (maybe you had some/all of them too?). Gratitude was definitely the overwhelming feeling for me, and although this year hasn’t started with me being in the most motivated & ready state, I’m doing a pretty good job of being gentle with myself and easing back into regular life at a pace that feels possible.

I don’t know too much about how this year is gonna go - I didn’t make any big resolutions or grand plans yet, but I’m hopeful it can be my most self-compassionate year yet. 💜

But for now… December!!

The first thing I did was take an exam, which I passed!

A while back I decided that I wanted to get a qualification that would allow me to lead some kind of joyful movement classes (especially since getting into twerk classes has had such a positive impact on my mental health this past year!). So I did some research, found the right course, and my practical assessment was last month!

Honestly it was more challenging than I anticipated, but I think it was really good for me to take on the challenge. It gave my brain something positive to focus on, I got to meet new people and cheer them on, and now I’m (nearly!) qualified to teach! 😮 I’m not 100% sure how I’m gonna go about doing that, but I’ll keep you updated 😘

And from the gym to a different kind of event!

Royal glam ✨ bumping into a fellow pink-haired friend 🪷 and the actual crown! 👑

Had a lil moment to dress up all sparkly and walk a red carpet for Netflix’s season finale of The Crown. I actually wasn’t feeling too great (it was after this event that I wrote the last Is It Just Me Or... newsletter!), but it’s always a joy to play dress up and a privilege to be invited into these kinda spaces that still feel slightly surreal and other-worldly!

Another couple of work highlights from the last week before the holidays-

In the MTV studio and at a Christmas event by Threads!

I got to film a couple of very fun & cute MTV Movie specials that went out over Christmas: one where I had to debate why The Holiday is a better Christmas film than Love Actually, and one where we looked ahead to the movies we're excited for in 2024. Doing more presenting & hosting was such a highlight of 2023 for me so this was a lovely way to round it off - even if I did have a horrendous cold and was so dosed up on flu meds I barely felt like I was on the planet 😅

I was also very unexpectedly given an award by Threads for being their ‘Most Inspiring Threader’ - honestly I barely even know what I’m doing on Threads but like all the other socials, she’s just trying to add light, positivity & feminist sass and hoping for the best! Are you on Threads? Do you like it?

Gem & I sneaking out for a walk/roll to get away from certain family members who sometimes make our brains implode

Then it was time to head home for the festivities to begin! I spent the week at Gemma’s, with various family members coming to visit (minus my dad who unfortunately had COVID, and was very missed!).

Mum, sis, bro, nan, me & the fluffiest baby who likes to sleep in bed like a human 🐶

It was definitely a successful Christmas - my brother stole the show by getting Gemma two very rude presents that she cackled over all day (a game called ‘dueling dicks’ and a ‘bullshit button’ that she’s been pressing non-stop ever since 😅), there were no major meltdowns and plenty of yummy food 🥰

I was in charge of potatoes - I think I smashed it.

That’s all for December! I have a birthday coming up soon (I’ll be 31 on January 20th 😯) and I’ll probably pop back into your inbox before then with some writing or a One Minute Reminder!

For now, how are you?? What were your holiday season highs/lows? How are you feeling about the New Year? The comment section is open as usual and we’re all rooting for you, wherever you’re at. 🌟

Big big massive love,

M 💜