2024 Reflections
This year has come with immense challenges, with so much pressure on us all to earn well, live mindfully, stay healthy and simply get through the days when so much hardship is all around us. Now more than ever, it feels essential to share and celebrate some gratitude, reflections and cares.
Community is one of my core values and there is a lot of anxiety and uncertainty currently, with many of us feeling overwhelmed by adversity from all sides. With the cost-of-living crisis and the associated high interest rates and rents, this especially has left me feeling concerned that many people are not able to afford to buy or rent in London and the Southeast. It feels that people who do not own a home have been dealt such an unfair hand as many, like my own daughter, so many young people are living at home with family.
Along with the wars in Ukraine & Middle East, Brexit changes, a second Trump presidency and, closer to home, the new Labour Government, it’s easy to feel downhearted.
In balance I am hugely grateful for the people that I have worked with this year and the stability in work, loving connections, play and fun. I am technically a “one-man band” and that is isolating at times, I am supported by and grateful to - Matt, Brian and Naomi at work and by Kath my beloved wife and adorable daughter Jemima at home as well as loving friends, and extended family. I cherish all the different communities that I am a part of.
Community has brought me joy closer to home, with many neighbours in our local streets investing into a strong sense of togetherness in our little corner of SE London. This includes some great summer street parties and get-togethers!
With compassion one of my core values, 2024 was challenging and it has been a learning curve, personally and professionally.
An upside has been the development of my work in undertaking more RICS residential property valuations.
This year I started an 18-month group therapy course. I have experienced an emotional, insightful and sometimes rocky journey that has touched upon some core issues and enhanced my sense of feeling alive, of hope and of belonging.
Expanding on this idea of self-reflection and re-calibration has allowed me to gain a stronger sense of self. This translates into a firm recognition of how – at heart – I am a real people person, and I do my best work when connecting with others. I am delighted to have nearly 50 five-star Google Reviews!
In this spirit, I have taken on new partnerships this year when it comes to blogging because I really want to prioritise staying in touch. I want to continue to invest in that sense of hope and belonging in both my personal and professional life as we move into the new year, and I’m excited to see where this takes me.
Building connections and a greater sense of self have been great achievements for me this year, alongside a rather different type of building altogether… we completed our home development project at the end of 2023. We demolished our garage and replaced it with a detached studio including a sauna, designed using many low carbon materials, the studio really is a home within a home (within our garden!). Thanks to the local competent property experts and friends general builder Pawel Jarosz and Passivhaus architect Thomas Denhof.
In April we welcomed a new dose of sunshine into our home with the arrival of Irie, our cuddly Golden Retriever. Now 8 months old, she is named after the Jamaican Patois expression for “feeling good”, harmony and peace – and she lives up to her name!
My Business Manager Naomi has also expanded her family with the arrival of two kittens. As always with our four-legged family members these joyful beings make the house a home.
As we move into the new year 2025, I intend to continue the commitment to authentic connection, reflection, fun, community and compassion.
Roo x