As a new year begins, we are often encouraged to think about fresh starts and big plans. But what if hope looks different now?

In this episode, I reflect on reaching five years of living with long Covid and the quiet mental shift that has come with it. I’m no longer waiting to be better before allowing myself to live. Instead, I’m learning how to live honestly within the limits of my energy, health, and circumstances.

I talk about a brutal Christmas period, ongoing exhaustion, the dread of benefit renewals, and the reality of not being able to work. I also reflect on the small but meaningful role that writing and recording play in sustaining both purpose and connection.

This episode isn’t about giving up on hope, and it recognises that listeners will be in different places. It’s an invitation to consider a gentler, more realistic question as we enter 2026:

What are you hoping for now?

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