Life Update

A few of my favourite things from 2025

17th December 2025 /

The end of the year lends itself to reflection. What have we achieved? Have we done enough? What will we do differently next year? I’ve made a big push this year to do things I enjoy. I’ve done less freelance work and spent more time resting and being with friends and family. It’s certainly not been a quiet year, but it’s been one filled with joy. 

These are a few of my favourite things…

Reading

This year I’ve read 27 books (so far). This is the most I’ve read since before university. I can’t even say why, I’ve just really enjoyed it and have always had a book on the go. There’s been a mix of audiobooks and kindle books. 

I’ve particularly enjoyed:

I really hope this hobby continues into 2026, especially as I have plenty of books ready to read on my kindle. 

Yoga

I’ve been going to yoga classes for a few years now. I appreciate that it can be a controversial within the disabled community due to health professionals selling it as the miracle cure. I still have cerebral palsy, but the 25 yoga classes this year have helped to strengthen and maintain mobility. 

Read more: My experience of going to a yoga class

But it’s more than that. It’s the people I’ve met and community it’s created. It gets me out of the house and one peaceful hour a week to destress. It also involves fruit tea and the occasional flapjack, who doesn’t want that?!

More yoga in 2025 please. Maybe even attending a different class…

Theatre

Going to a theatre show is my favourite thing to do on a weekend. So much so, I did it 11 times this year. I tend to see musicals, but this year has involved a few plays which have really surprised me. 

I’ve also been to a few touch tours. This is where blind and visually impaired audience members get to go on stage before a show and get closer to the set, props and costumes. You’re often accompanied by an audio describer who narrates certain elements to you and will help you navigate the stage. While I do have some remaining vision, touch tours allow me to see the details I’d easy miss from my seat. 

I particularly enjoyed:

  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • War Horse
  • Little Women

I already have a few shows booked for next year, including Tina: The Musical which we’ve had booked for years!

Jigsaws 

I’ve borrowed a few jigsaws from my nana this year and have done 6 in total.

There’s something really relaxing about grabbing a cup of tea and doing a jigsaw on a Sunday afternoon when the weather is rubbish. Bonus points if there’s an audiobook playing at the same time. 

Is it the most accessible hobby if you’re visually impaired? Absolutely not! But sometimes you can’t help the things you enjoy. But I can spend hours immersed in the puzzle and lose track of time. 

I hope to do more jigsaws next year. 

A coffee shop

I do love a coffee shop! It’s often how I meet up with friends and have a long catch up. 

So much so, 2025 included appropriately 15 coffee shop trips. Some of them involved brunch. Some of them coincided with a theatre trip. 

I’d like to give an honourable mention to my birthday brunch in March. It was so lovely to see nearly everyone at once. The only downside is that you have a lot of people to catch up with. 

Blogging

Last, but by no means least, writing blog posts. I’ve only managed to write 6 blog posts this year. I never want this hobby to become a chore. Yes, my blog has given me many wonderful (and paid) opportunities which I class as work. But this blog remains a sanctuary for writing. 

My favourite post this year was Lessons from a guide dog owner where I reflected on 2 years of Dezzie. 

If anything, I’ve just been busy doing other things, and that’s okay. The website isn’t going anywhere, but there will be quieter periods. 

More blog writing in 2026? Who knows, lets just wait and see!

~Chloe x

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