Things I've Done This Week Instead of Writing My Novel (2):

Wrote silly poetic blog posts. Went on a date to a fancy vegan eatery. Took a trip to the local bed centre - the one with the dinosaur - and bought a beautiful teal velvet divan with four drawers and a sensibly sized headboard. Ordered my first iced coffee of the year from the seafront record shop, which jingled in my keep cup as I sipped it on the beach. Tried some new cocktail tinnies, rather than just going for my usuals (MOTH, obvs). Enjoyed a hot Mediterranean vegetable tart with side salad and beetroot hummus for lunch with a dear friend. Went to TEDx Brighton, and caught up/reminisced with a fellow former speaker in a familiar cafe beforehand. Travelled to that small town quay for work, again. Ate a teriyaki tofu bagel with crispy onion for breakfast in my favourite cafe over that way. Had therapy in one of the office's meeting rooms, via Zoom. Realised I still have a lot to unpack, and maybe ending the sessions now is a little hasty. Fantasised about the person I barely know, and can't read. Celebrated a new chapter with my parents, clinking glasses - a beer, some bubbles, plus whisky and ginger - sitting around a small table behind the pizza oven in one of our favourite pubs. Visited friends in Hove and admired their beautifully quirky and camp living space, while their cat climbed happily over my shoulders. Finally watched 'Adolescence'. Had my quarterly medicinal botox jabs in my wonky face, and told the surgeon about my latest achievements at work. 

Became a homeowner, all by myself. Picked up the keys. Sat on the ramshackle patio in the evening sun, looked out over the garden, and cried the happiest, warmest tears. 

Thank you for reading. Someday it'll be a book. 

G. x