Reasons TO BE CHEERFUL

While most of us are girding our loins for a tough year ahead, Fiona Gibson plans to make 2023 as joyful as possible. Here's how

1 Self-deprecation...it's so last year

I love to make art and recently reclaimed our adult daughter's former bedroom to paint in. I used to mumble, 'This is where I do a bit of doodling.' 'So it's your studio?' a friend asked. 'That sounds a bit pretentious,' I protested. But yes, actually - it is. I intend to own it, and use it as much as I can.

2 Ind so to bed..

I like to retire to bed at 8pm occasionally like a convalescing Victorian lady (without being ill), I cocoon myself in an otherwise empty bed, where I can spread out in a star shape, leaf through books and magazines and relish being alone. (Since COVID, my husband and I have both worked from home and are together constantly. I'm not saying this with bitterness. I am JUST SAYING.) Eight out of 10 bosses believe that people do less work at home than in the office, according to research by Microsoft. Of course we do. I have worked for a very long time now-since 1927, it feels like - so on top of those early nights, I also plan lots of daytime naps.

3 Good, better, best