Wow, this year has started with a bang.

My father-in-law passed away the day before my husband and I were due to return to work after our December and January leave. Although he had been ill for some time, it was still a huge shock for all of us. I have already lost both my parents, but for my husband, this is his first experience of losing a parent, and it’s been heartbreaking to watch him go through this. And don’t let me start on what it’s been like for our children.

Returning to work brought a different kind of loss. On my very first day back, we were told that a major project — one we had been working on for the past four years in collaboration with another company — had been cancelled. I’m still sitting with the grief over the work, effort, and relationships that came to a sudden end.

Less than a week later, another shock followed. A colleague of nearly nine years, with almost thirty years of experience at the company, announced her retirement. I have been asked to take over her responsibilities…

What a way to start a new year.

Amidst all of this, I ran my first 32km race. I approached it as a training run rather than something to race, but I was still nervous—especially as I hadn’t run that distance in a long time. To my relief, it went well. I felt strong for almost the entire run.

At times, it feels as though the carpet has been pulled out from under my feet. But I am a long-distance runner, and if I’ve learned one thing from distance running, it’s to keep steady and not panic when things suddenly become unsteady. I remind myself that growth rarely happens in comfort zones, and perhaps, in time, all of this will make sense.

Despite all the chaos, marathon training is progressing well. In a way, sticking to the training routine gives me the structure I need right now. Less than five weeks left to go!

I hope your year has started more gently than mine. I would love to hear how 2026 has been treating you thus far.

#WhenEverythingChanges #SeasonOfChange #LifeAsItIs #OneStepAtATime #BeingHuman