Oh, January

This month, Olly Mann muses on the lessons of 2020 that we should all cling to for the year ahead

- Olly Mann

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: