Reflections on 2022

Reflections on 2022

Years have a habit of flying past in the blink of an eye, and as we look forward to the promise of the next, it can be tempting to just keep moving. I believe in taking a pause and considering each year that has passed, both as a business owner and simply someone in the world; a Dad, a husband, a dancer...!

The end of the year always sparks reflection in our house. November marks the anniversary of the passing of my father-in-law Jim, a very special man to all of us. We also lost our wonderful family dog Ella in the winter some years ago. At a point in the year when family often comes to the fore, there are many sweet memories to return to. While this year has undoubtedly been at times challenging and strange for all of us, I want to consider the good and the growth as well as the gruelling bits. I hope you’ll let me know some of the positives from your year too, as we wish 2022 adieu and prepare for 2023.

One of the big motifs of my year has been connection. I’m a proud South Londoner, and the links I feel to my local community have felt ever stronger in 2022. In early June, my street in West Norwood held a wonderful get-together, a first for us. I organised the event with other neighbours, cooking huge portions of picnic food and turning the street into a party. Namely to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the event became much more than that. Neighbours old and new came together; we ate and we talked, perhaps for the first time in this way since the pandemic eased. Meaningful connections at work are just as important to me. I’ve been a part of the Nightingale BNI (Business Network International) for several years now, and I continue to be grateful for the people I have been introduced to. The breadth of businesses who take part is fantastic, and I have benefitted a great deal from the wisdom and expertise of my fellow members. I am in fact hoping to collaborate with some from the network in 2023, but more on that next year…

Connecting with people in different ways often teaches you something, and I think this is another thread that has run through my year. Learning more about buildings never grows old for me, and I’ve put a lot of energy into that in 2022. A particular highlight for me was a two day course in energy efficiency measures for traditional buildings, which was led by the brilliant Professor John Edwards from the University of Wales. John is an inspiration to learn from, and sustainability has to be a vital focus for all of us in the property sector. In future, I would like to be able to help advise my clients on retro-fitting measures they might consider, and keep learning more about sustainable practice. At the time of writing, I’m half way through a six day course run by CABE (The Chartered Association of Building Engineers) all about building control. It’s an intensive programme of learning which means taking time away from my surveying work, but I believe in making time where I can to try to develop myself.

While reflecting on learning and development, I’d like to thank Brian Robinson, a highly knowledgeable RICS Chair assessor and retired surveyor for the continued mentoring support he gives me. I’m also grateful to the team of experts who I work with at RM Surveyors; to Matt for his web and design expertise, Naomi for her deep knowledge of the surveying world and to Ellen for her communications and branding know-how. In 2023, I hope to build on all the connections, personal and professional, that have flourished this year. As I mentioned above, I’ve been working on an exciting local partnership with some of the businesses in our BNI network, which I’ll be able to tell you more about soon.

Equally importantly, I’ll be dedicating time to spend with my family and my friends, doing the things outside of work that make me happy. I’m a strong believer in maintaining a real balance between one’s work and the other things that make you who you are. For me that’s making time for being with my wife, Kathy, hot yoga, or doing a bit of pottering in the garden. It makes me proud to see my grown-up daughter Jemima doing this too, making her own way and having adventures in the world. It can be easy to lose sight of that amongst all of the pace and the pressure, but I hope everyone has something they know they can turn to, to help them feel peaceful.

Thank you for reading my reflections on the memorable and at times unbelievable year that was 2022, and a very Happy New Year to you all when it comes.

Roo x

I offer a wide range of independent and cost-effective residential surveys and valuations. As a residential chartered surveyor and RICS registered property valuer with more 20 years’ real estate experience across London and the south-east, I know that buying property is one of the most important decisions most people ever make. That’s why I’m passionate about taking the stress out of the survey and valuation process and helping people realise their dreams, whether that’s a treasured new home or the next investment property. Contact me today at roo@rmsurveyors.co.uk or by phone on 07957606886 to have an informal, confidential and no-obligation conversation about your requirements.

Reuben Miller