2018
- By Amy McDonagh
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- 01 Jan, 2018
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I’m not normally one for making a big deal out of New Years, so we’re back to the beginning of the Gregorian calendar yet again, and the Earth has made another orbit around the Sun, just as it has done for millions and millions of years…big whoop.
This would be my normal reaction, but things feel different right now. Normally I would not want to acknowledge the difference between December 31st and January 1st, I never made any resolutions. In the grand scheme of things, it is the same difference from July 5th to July 6th, just another day. A concept invented by humans in an attempt to make sense of the world around us. But life is different for me today, and I can pin this feeling on a number of things that happened to me this year.
This year was especially significant for me, I traveled to Italy, four times to London, and to New York for the first time. I bought my first car. I left a job that I hated. I began setting up my own music teaching practice. I met someone who has only enhanced everything good in my life and gives me strength and confidence. And it was a year full of music which I am always thankful for. And most importantly, I cut out everything in my life that was making me sad and giving me unwanted stress. My mental health is at the best it’s ever been, and I feel stronger and braver now than I’ve ever felt in my life.
As scary as it feels I am ready to embrace these changes, it’s going to be a year full of even more music and being my own boss. My horizons have broadened and the world feels so much smaller to me, more conquerable. And I’m very slowly conquering my own world, one note at a time.
Chet Atkins described Tommy Emmanuel as ‘the most fearless player he’d ever met…’
Fearless. I quite like the sound of that.
1. Go to ‘your place’
A place that is just for you!
Everyone needs a ‘me place’ in my humble opinion. This can be a room in your house, maybe its where you practise, it can even be a local park or a favourite coffee shop. A place that you feel comfortable in that you can go to when things feel a little overwhelming. A place where you can take a step back, even if its just for a few minutes.
My place is my bedroom: it’s quiet, I have my guitars and my keyboard, all of my favourite books and movies, candles, fairy lights and sometimes my cat if she’s feeling affectionate! I like the colours in the room and there’s nice pictures on the walls. When I enter that room I just get a feeling of peace, its a space that’s just mine. Being there allows me to bring my anxious thoughts from a swirling mess back to a more calm and rational way of dealing with things, sometimes it works instantly, other times it takes a bit longer. However that space for me creates a feeling of ‘its all going to be alright’, and that’s all I really need.
If you don’t have this space that is yours, I recommend that you find it, or create it!
2. A warm cuppa
You’ve had a long and stressful day, or maybe you have one ahead of you…put the kettle on and grab your favourite mug! Whatever your sin is, tea, coffee, or if you’re on a caffine break, try a green or berry tea. There’s nothing like a hot drink that feels like a big hug when you’re feeling down. Trust me, its the simple things in life!
I actually stumbled on this creation by accident, trying to make a Mini Egg cheesecake for some Easter baking and when my local shops were completely cleared out of their Easter stock (no evidence of it being Easter at all) I decided to improvise. And thus ended up making a White Chocolate Malteser Cheesecake, which was a big hit in my house! There are many variations of this online as I was sure that this had been done before, but this is my spin on it due to me not getting to the store on time!
So whether you’re having friends over and you need a dessert or you have a night off from gigging, this will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
It is so quick to prepare, no baking involved and takes a minimum of 3-4 hours to set. For best results, get it in the fridge the night before
