IT FEELS GOOD, I think you’ll agree, to see January 2021 on the cover of this issue. Not that there’s anything particularly wonderful about January itself (in fact, I’d rank it as my least favourite month: the days slowly getting longer, yet with so few pleasures to fill them. The pantos and street markets wobble on—but, for me, the second that calendar turns, the twinkling lights seem gaudy, and the bonhomie feels trite. January = big Christmas hangover).
But, the thrill of the new year! A fresh start! That always excites me. And (this scarcely needs spelling out, but, for posterity, here goes…) in this year of all years, what a relief it is to look forward: to mass vaccination; the White House after Trump; Brexit actually done. My shoulders drop, and a smile returns to my face, as I allow myself to anticipate our summer jaunt to Lanzarote (postponed from 2020); the parties I’ll attend in person; that glorious moment I’ll finally close Zoom and head back to theatres, pubs and even (I can’t believe I’m saying this) the outstanding public transport I used to take for granted.
However. While never again having to live through 2020 certainly calls for celebration, it would be churlish to fail to reflect on the lessons of the past 12 months.
Yes, lessons. I’ve come up with six. In the context of global disease and economic catastrophe, my list may strike you as, um, rather prosaic. That’s natural, I’ve spent all year locked in my house! But here’s what I’ve learned:
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2021-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2021-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest UK.
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EVERY SECOND COUNTS: TIPS TO WIN THE RACE AGAINST TIME
Do you want to save 1.5 seconds every day of your life? According to the dishwasher expert at the consumer organisation Choice, there’s no need to insert the dishwashing tablet into the compartment inside the door.
May Fiction
An escaped slave's perspective renews Huckleberry Finn and the seconds tick down to nuclear Armageddon in Miriam Sallon’s top literary picks this month
Wine Not
In a time of warning studies about alcohol consumption, Paola Westbeek looks at non-alcoholic wines, how they taste and if they pair with food
Train Booking Hacks
With the cost of train travel seemingly always rising, Andy Webb gives some tips to save on ticket prices
JOURNEY TO SALTEN, NORWAY, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Here, far from the crowds, in opal clarity, from May to September, the sun knows no rest. As soon as it’s about to set, it rises again
My Britain: Cheltenham
A YEAR IN CHELTENHAM sees a jazz festival, a science festival, a classical music festival and a literature festival. Few towns with 120,000 residents can boast such a huge cultural output!
GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB
Whether you love digging in the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the bounty that bursts forth, or find the whole idea of gardening intimidating, this spring offers the promise of a fresh start.
Under The GRANDFLUENCE Suzi Grant
After working in TV and radio as an author and nutritionist, Suzi Grant started a blog alternativeageing.net) and an Instagram account alternativeageing). She talks to Ian Chaddock about positive ageing”
Sam Quek: If I Ruled The World
Sam Quek MBE is an Olympic gold medalwinning hockey player, team captain on A Question of Sport and host of podcast series Amazing Starts Here
Stand Tall, Ladies
Shorter men may be having their moment, but where are the tall women?
