2010 by Theo

Kate said I should write my own New Year piece - my reflections on the past decade and the coming year - but I find that on reflection, I don't really have any reflections. Which is odd. I mean 10 years ago, 2000, was a landmark year in my life. It was the first year I began as an adult I went traveling independently for the first time, moved to Bristol, started University. The rest of the decade was pretty amazing too - two degrees, several jobs, my first published articles, radio shows, (girl)friends, traveling, loads of different homes, Kate, getting married, and moving to Spain. Yet, despite all that I feel little emotional attachment to the passing of the decade. I'm not sure why this is, but I have my suspicions. For while all of the above (and many events not listed) were amazing and life-changing experiences, I suspect at least one event in 2010 is going to make all that look insignificant, merely the preparation for this one event - parenthood.

We've been reading parenting books - thanks Hermione - we've got the stroller/car seat - thanks Cathy - the sling - thanks Mum & Dad - and lots of clothes - thanks Bex and Jilly. In a sense we're prepared. In so many other ways we're really not. I spend half my time imagining what it will be like, what she'll be like, how it's going to change things for Kate and I, but I'm sure the reality will be very different from anything I've mentally prepared myself for. I'm excited. I can't wait. So I can't really get excited about the birth of 2010, this ending and beginning of decades, as there's another beginning, and indeed an ending, that is so much more important to me on the horizon.

Thoughts At The Beginning Of A New Decade by Kate

The good bit about being a decade baby is it makes it much easier to remember how old you are. So 2010 will take me neatly into the end of my fourth decade. It will also - all being well - see my daughter begin her first. Yep, 2010 is going to be an extraordinary year, capping a series of extraordinary years. It's probably a good thing in some ways that I've been getting in some practice of how to adapt to dramatic life-changes, but I am in no doubt that the arrival of a baby will be the biggest one of all.

Quick summary:
In 2009 I moved to a different country speaking a different language and began a new career as a teacher. It's been quite a year.
In 2008 I got married, quit a job I had been in for over ten years, left the city I'd lived in for the same amount of time and spent seven months or so dwelling in a van in various parts of Europe. Oh, and I retrained for a new profession. That was quite a year too.
In 2007 I left my partner of eleven years as well as the first home I'd been involved in buying for myself. It looks easy when contained in one sentence, but it was one of the most difficult and upsetting decisions I have ever had to make. On the upside, I fell in love with and got engaged to the man who is now my husband, my soulmate and father-to-be of my first child. Another incredible year.

Looking back, the tail-end of the noughties have been amazing (and that's not to undermine the importance of the years that stretch back before them) and yes, there have been sad and painful times, but thankfully, not too many. It's difficult not to sound smug, but I count myself as incredibly lucky to have had such an enjoyable and fulfilling life so far and despite the disbelieving "am I really about to turn forty??!" feeling, I'm hugely looking forward to what 2010 will bring. With just a little trepidation mixed in.