Why this isn’t the time to set resolutions

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.

Rain, rain, rain. It’s been falling for days. I look out at the leaden sky as huge raindrops pound the windowsill and bounce heavily on the grass outside. Will it ever stop?

I’ve been indoors for weeks. OK, two days, but it feels much longer. I give up waiting for it to clear and go out for a muddy walk. Wellington boots, full length raincoat, woolly hat. The rain is diagonal and blinding. I can’t see my way or hear much either. Cocooned in my mac, hood zipped up, hands deep in my pockets, I feel very alone.

I slip and slide on the muddy path. The fields are saturated from days of rain and the puddles grow bigger every minute. The pale light has given up now that it’s pitted against the grey clouds.

This is Britain in January — what did I expect? It’s not in any way enjoyable being out here. But there is one upside — getting to the end of it. Arriving back home to warmth, bright lights and a hot cup of tea.

Does the walk sum up 2020? Hard graft, grit your teeth, get through it. We hope seeing the back of the year will bring some relief. Like the soil, we are saturated. It’s been such a long haul and there are times when it feels hard to cope. The smallest of challenges, the tiniest of setbacks, can…