Letting things slide…

*FYI: This picture will make SO much more sense later on*

It’s very easy to let things slide.

If, like me, your New Year’s Resolutions are already melting into the not-to-distant past, you can probably understand where I’m coming from.

You may or may not have noticed that I’ve been a bit absent from Jess Lord’s Journal over the past few months. The reason? I’ve had a lot going on – as we all do.

The last time I wrote a blog was just after I’d made the decision to leave M&S and go ‘full-time’ freelance at BBC Radio Lincolnshire. It’s been a wonderfully busy few months, full of new experiences, which has been incredible, but it’s meant that Jess Lord’s Journal has been slightly abandoned…

For those of you who don’t know (I apologise if I’m explaining the obvious) – when you’re freelance – you tend not to have set hours. So although ‘full-time freelance’ is a thing – it’s not the same as a ‘full-time job’. Although you may have a couple of shows, or projects that you consistently work on (as I did, Friday Night Takeover, BBC Introducing)… your hours are generally quite irregular and you work across lots of different programmes, and with different presenters and producers. You’re a runner at a General Election count one minute, and getting your face painted like Pudsey Bear the next…

I’ve used radio examples here to provide context, but of course there are so many other ‘types’ of freelancers in this sphere: artists, writers, designers, sound engineers, photographers etc.

Over the past few months, my days and weeks have been an eclectic mix of early and late shifts, weekends and weekdays, and I’ve worked on everything from Drivetime to Pirate Gold (I’ve even been the Pirate LORD on a couple of occasions… you can listen here if you’d like to understand what on EARTH I’m talking about). I’ve loved every second, and as cliche as it sounds, I’ve learnt something new every single time I’ve walked into that office (& driven into the carpark… I’ve genuinely started to reverse park, it’s not always successful, but it’s definitely entertaining).

From February I’m starting a new job – which I’m SO excited about. I’ll be working on Melvyn Prior’s Mid-Morning programme, alongside producer Babs. It’ll be different, challenging, and definitely a lot of fun – plus, guaranteed parking space – there’s very few people in the office at 7.30 in the morning.

* As a side note – if you live in Lincolnshire & you know of something or someone you think we should be celebrating/supporting on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, please get in touch: jessica.lord@bbc.co.uk *

Anyway, returning to my original topic – letting things slide… over the past few months, I haven’t been blogging, and I’ve really missed it! It does take a lot of time to think of topics, write, proof-read, edit, get Mum to read it, edit it again, add photos and design the ‘look’ of the post – but I find it incredibly therapeutic. For me, writing is something that has always been, and I think always will be, a major form of catharsis.

So, with that in mind, here’s a few things I’m going to try and not let slide in 2020…

+ This blog! Which I’m sure you’re DELIGHTED to know… I’m also super keen to mix it up this year, maybe try some interviews/reviews… make sure you subscribe to be kept up to date (I am cringing, I hope you are too – whilst subscribing obvs).

+ Friendships. Long distance is no excuse. It’s super tricky when friends from school, Uni, and past jobs are scattered across the country (& world!) – but if it means getting a four hour train, or literally scheduling a FaceTime – it’s always SO worth it.

+ My health. I’m ALWAYS ill over Christmas. I know I’m not alone in suffering from the dreaded festive fever. It’s bizarre, I think it’s because the whole month is just so hectic and busy, that when you do take a moment to rest and relax, you may as well grab the Lemsip as you walk to the couch. Goal for December 2020? NOT GET ILL.

+ Well-being. There’s quite a few things I love doing. Writing, watching movies, baking/eating cake (more so the latter), going for walks, swimming… I need to remember that these are not optional activities, and by that I mean, these are things I shouldn’t drop just because I’m too busy. I need to consider why I’m struggling to find time for these things, and put in place a plan to make it work.

+ Sense of adventure. I love going to new places, and experiencing new things. I think it makes you a more aware, interesting and creative person. I’ve set myself the goal of travelling to ten places I’ve never been before this year, one is booked… nine to go (I’ll keep you updated).

What about you? Don’t let the things you love ‘slide’ in 2020.

P.S. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas & a very Happy New Year to you all ❤