Hello lovely reader! I hope you had a lovely festive period. I’ve left it far too long since my last post (checks notes..five months?? Oof..) I don’t have any exciting writing news to share this time around I’m afraid, but I do have something to say. So buckle in, grab yourself a cup of tea (or whatever beverage you’d prefer) and reflect on the 2023 with me..
For me, 2023 has been one of the most surprising years of my life. My Carpe Diem year, for I truly did seize the day on so many different accounts. I travelled to lots of places on my own. I drove long distances to go see concerts I would normally deem “too far away”. I met some famous people! I had more of my words published. I even went out in the height of summer to go visit a zoo (thank goodness for factor 50 suncream!)
But why? What was it about this particular year that made me so brave? So willing to task risks and live my life to the fullest? Well, I actually have two answers for this:
Answer number one is that this time last year, I was very ill. I still have no idea what it was that actually ailed me, but whatever it was, it sent my anxiety through the roof. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. I honestly thought I was going to die. I was so, so scared. Thankfully, I was able to get the help I needed and I recovered. So part of my adventurous year was making up for the time I was ill.
Answer number two is that I turned 30 this year. There is something about turning 30 that makes you REALLY aware of mortality. Something that suddenly makes you think “oh crap, I’m going to die one day.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been an existentialist. To quote Barbie, “Do you guys ever think about dying?” Because I do! But yeah, there’s just something about the big 3-0 that really drives that home. And also makes you want to make the most of your finite time on this earth. Cue the adventuring!
Now, if you follow me on other platforms, then you’ll know I got into The Moomins this year. I’m even building my own Moominhouse! So something I really wanted to do this year was visit both Moomin shops in London. These became two separate trips; one day in Covent Garden and one day in Camden Market. I never really get over how massive London is, and it’s one of the reasons why I avoided it in the past. But now it’s definitely one of my favourite cities to visit!
Now onto concerts. I’m a rock and metal girly, and I absolutely adore going to concerts. It’s where I feel alive. In that moment, for those few hours, all your troubles have perished, and it’s just you and the music. However, in the past, I was limited to where I could go. I usually go to concerts on my own, so I only went to concerts I could comfortably get to on my own. And massive arena concerts were out of the question. But this year? I drove THREE HOURS, ON MY OWN just to see Corey Taylor at a Q&A session in Kingston, London. And then drove back on the same night! I also did it with the band Siames in Hackney, London. Aaand then there was another Corey concert in Wolverhampton, but that was a much shorter drive. BUT STILL! Solo car trips that I would have never done in the past!
How wrong people were, turning 30 is awesome!
Also! Whilst I’m still on the topic of concerts, I also met some of them! Now, I’ve daydreamed about meeting some of idols many times in the past, but it’s not something I’ve ever tried achieve. I had the chance to meet Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom, Bodom After Midnight) at a record shop in Nottingham twelve years, but I bailed at the last moment. Do you know how much I regret that? Especially since he died a few years ago? So when, after the Siames show, singer Sergio says “stick around afterwards, we’ll come see you!” I knew I had to jump on this opportunity. So. I was brave. I tried to keep it together, tried not to be too Awkward Soph, and was able to meet and get pictures with both the singer and the keyboardist! The latter even recognised me from an Instagram post earlier than day, which was so so amazing!
And whilst I would have loved to have met Corey Taylor, I was perceived by him at the Q&A session! The interviewer said “Now, this next question is from..Sophie Brookes! Is there a Sophie here?” To which I waved my hand and a strange “yoo-hoo” sound came out of me. Corey saw me, pointed at me, then waved at me! And then answered my question. That made my entire year!
So yes. A lot of adventuring this year, and being perceived by amazing people I idolise!
Writing wise, I was published twice this year! I had two more of poems published in Crow Calls Volume 5, as well as a page of prose included in The Next Page Book Project: The Masks We Wear. I won’t dwell on those too much, as I’ve already written separate posts for those earlier in the year.
I also finished a short story! A small win for Soph “Writer of stories, finisher of none” Brookes. It’s called The Fater, and it’s up on Wattpad if you fancy a read (I’m on there as LadyXesphio).
I was also going to write about my resolutions for 2024, but I fear I’ve rambled on far too much on this post, so I may save that for another post. A New Year post maybe..
But yes! For now, I think I’ve covered everything I wanted to talk about. If I came across like I was bragging, please please please know that that was not my intention! It’s just that there were a lot of firsts for me this year. I was brave and I took risks so I could make the most of my year.
I definitely have no regrets for 2023.
I apologise for such a long post! Thank you so much for reading, especially if you made it to the end. Wishing you all the best and a happy new year!
Memento Mori.
Soph, signing off!
Sophie Brookes 