My 2025 Journey

2025 has been an eventful year for me. Both good and bad. The negative involving some health issues and the good involving publishing my first new book in three years. Here’s a rundown of my year. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Career / Day Job

I continue to grow and develop within my specialty of Aged Care (with a strong focus on dementia care) working in one of Sydney’s biggest teaching hospitals supported by one of the best nursing executive teams I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Me in my Fun Day Friday scrubs at work

Personal Life

This year saw my eldest stepson join the Australian Army. A very proud moment for me and my partner.

My stepson, Harrison at his march out with his dad (My partner, Chris)

I continue to try and spend more time with my beautiful mum, who is my best friend, as she gets older.  

Me and my beautiful mum at the Human Nature concert

I have enjoyed two wonderful holidays with my partner. A great trip to lovely Tasmania in March and our recent cruise around the islands of Papua New Guinea.

Chris and I in Hobart

Chris and I on our cruise around Papua New Guinea

Health and Wellbeing

This year has seen perimenopause knock me over and kick me while I’m down. I have gained weight, struggled with my mood, suffered nine weeks of crimpling plantar fasciitis, suffered from frozen shoulder, struggled to sleep, felt angry and irritable a lot of the time, suffered lots of colds, flu and covid, struggled to find motivation, struggled to find joy in things I used to love, and I have been forced to work through feelings of loneliness. I have come to the sad realisation that I lack close female friendships in this stage of my life due to friendships fading away / growing apart over the years without me noticing, until one day I woke up and thought, I have no one I can really confide in / hang out with / share my daily ups and downs with outside my relationship with my partner and my mum. I love reading about female friendships, you know, the girl squad, but it’s something I don’t have. Am I being vulnerable sharing this? Absolutely, but I’m sure I am not alone dealing with this issue in midlife.

What has brought back some Joy?

Joining a local Adult Glee Club back in April has been one of the best things I have done for my mental health in years.  Getting back into singing with other like-minded people after so many years has been wonderful. The annual concert at The Conservatorium of Music was one of the highlights of my year. I look forward to lots more fun with this wonderful group of people next year.

The Concert

Reading

I haven’t read as many books as I would have liked this year, but there is a very good reason. That reason being I finally finished and published a new book. My favourite read this year was ‘The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife’. A feel-good story full of hope and heartwarming moments.

Writing

In October I published my funny Christmas comedy titled ‘Tis Not The Season To Be Molly.’  I am pleased to say this book’s launch has been the most successful for me so far. Thank you to all the readers who have purchased a copy.  I hope it gives you a good laugh.

My Goals for 2026

I will continue to write my two works in progress without putting too much pressure on myself in the way of deadlines. I am just going to enjoy the process. They will be finished when they’re finished. I am going to focus on improving my health and fitness because if I don’t turn it around now, I will age prematurely. This year, physically, I have felt sixty -nine instead of forty-nine and it's been the kick in the bum I needed to start looking after myself better.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.  Do what makes you happy and see you all on the other side of 2025.

Hayley xxx