The Fifty-Year-Old Nomad

2024 in review

1. What did you do in 2025 that you'd never done before?

• Turned 50.


• Became a professional petsitter, with no fixed abode, moving from home to home across England's South East.


• Saved tons of money and felt financially secure for the first time in a decade.


• Rented a room as a lodger during periods when I didn't have a petsit.


• Had a one-night stand with someone who I hadn't seen in 6 years.


• Wanted to have a one-night stand with someone else who I also hadn't seen in 6 years, and when it didn't happen, my heart cracked open.


• Started a pen pal project.


• Hiked the Seven Sisters Cliffs in East Sussex as training for a charity challenge event.


• Went teetotal on 15th February and only had a few drinks since then (mostly cheering people at their special occasions.)


• Sang karaoke completely sober in a bar.


• Helped a Brazilian family whose son was in prison in England, which included visiting him at HMP Belmarsh.


• Entered the English sea for the very first time, at Selsey Beach, by invitation of the local outdoors swimming club.


• Attended Trans Pride in Brighton. It was lovely and I'd love to attend it again in 2026.


• Called the Samaritans so I could learn how to support a friend who was suicidal.


• Visited regularly a care home for elderly people with dementia, where my dad thankfully found permanent housing.


• Attended a goth/industrial daytime disco in Luton.


• Started to use A.I. for work and a few personal projects.


• Took a nighttime course on literary translation.

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