A Happy New Year to All ISMers

[Stokesy44]

Good morning All, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy New Year.

I'm not a fan of resolutions but I do believe in intent. I am facing up to a number of life style choices currently, having let my job overtake me both in terms of hours worked and the mental effect it has on me. Aims and objectives are to either come to terms with the job role as it currently stands or seek new employment and a possible change of job type. To that end I have contacted a specialist employment advisory service and will look to meet with them as early in the NY as possible.

The health issues I experienced in August and September have brought all this about with the return of the dreaded depression and anxiety. It clouds everything I do and I have to be SO careful to keep my mid occupied, that's why my hobbies are so important. I have been receiving help from the NHS and it has been useful as far as a free service can be. It now falls to me to push through in the areas we have highlighted together over the last 2 months.

My hobbies have suffered as a result of the above, my modelling has dwindled to near zero output (literally zero in Nov-Dec) and I have fallen out of love with books, movies and pretty much everything I used to enjoy. I am getting back into books with recent time spent on murder mysteries and now historical fiction (currently reading V2 by Robert Harris) but the modelling time still eludes me. I have joined a local model club and hope to attend some of their build days and events so at least I am pushing in the right direction.

So its pretty tough at the moment but I am sustained by the fact I am not hiding from this. In times of strife I am always reminded of a quote in a book I have about the Battle of Britain. When an old solder is asked to assess the Nation's chances of prevailing he says, 'Hard pounding, Gentlemen, Let's see who pounds the hardest!'

Happy New Year

[aur0ra145]

I wrote a long diatribe. It's alright my dude.

[Tomcat64]

Happy New Year folks

@Stokesy44 you know where I am if you ever need to reach out mate

Two simple modelling resolutions for me:

• I need to re-engage on here on a regular basis and not let work retain control (a familiar theme for 2024)
• I need to finish up the two half-baked projects on the bench and grab something I really want to build out of the stash

Last year I made a resolution to pick up a guitar again... that failed dismally, so maybe this year it'll happen

[RangerNeil]

Best wishes for a happy New Year to everyone!!
Don't do resolutions but I'm hoping to get back to HEMA training 1st Q 25, been grounded since the heart issue in Aug 24. And restart building once the weather improves - we lost our heating allowance this year sonthe build room upstairs has been too cold to spend time in it.

[Stokesy44]

Best wishes for a happy New Year to everyone!!
Don't do resolutions but I'm hoping to get back to HEMA training 1st Q 25, been grounded since the heart issue in Aug 24. And restart building once the weather improves - we lost our heating allowance this year sonthe build room upstairs has been too cold to spend time in it.

HEMA training sounds interesting, I had to Google it to find out what it was. Good to see you're well enough to get back into it.

[Kevthemodeller]

Happy New Year one and all

@Stokesy44 Mate I'm pretty much always available if you need anything I'll PM you my No.

I'm not really one for New Year revolutions. The last few years have been full of life changing events for me, some planned most unplanned/unexpected. Nothing was or is health related. 2024 was especially tough for me and utterly life changing. Those events have meant pretty much a complete life reset for me, some aspects are still to be decided upon. Luckily I don't suffer the 'black dog' that so many others do, for that I'm thankful, I've also had some amazing support from a fellow member.

I'm building again and have completed my first kit in 3 years! I've started another and although not had the bench time over Christmas I was hoping for, all good distractions by the way I'll be back at the bench this weekend and throughout this year well that's my plan

[digger303]

Great attitude Stokesy and with that will I'm sure you will get back into it.

Happy New Year too you all.

[Gary30]

HNY everyone!

I wish all of you the very best, especially those that are fighting uphill battles, I know how it feels.

Hoping to really ramp up my modelling output this year, now we're finally settled into the new house and I'm lucky enough to have an actual dedicated modelling room to sniff glue in.

[chops1sc]

Happy New Year everyone!

[DRUMS01]

Belated Happy New Year everyone! I know it seems like I was abducted by aliens for the last few months but I have been following everything when possible and simply have not responded. My apologies for not checking in and I hope to get back in the saddle this month.

No resolutions for me, just an honest reassessment on rebuilding my mojo.

Between my full on responsibility as the Adjutant of our cities American Legion Post, to a blown right knee (still waiting for my MRI), to a serious health scare with my special needs son, Jarrod,; I could go on, but the bottom line is that life saturated me and I couldn't get out from it.

Still got the Centurion AVRE bridge diorama that I'm working on. I will post an update this week... honest!

[Stokesy44]

Belated Happy New Year everyone! I know it seems like I was abducted by aliens for the last few months but I have been following everything when possible and simply have not responded. My apologies for not checking in and I hope to get back in the saddle this month.

No resolutions for me, just an honest reassessment on rebuilding my mojo.

Between my full on responsibility as the Adjutant of our cities American Legion Post, to a blown right knee (still waiting for my MRI), to a serious health scare with my special needs son, Jarrod,; I could go on, but the bottom line is that life saturated me and I couldn't get out from it.

Still got the Centurion AVRE bridge diorama that I'm working on. I will post an update this week... honest!

Great to hear from you Sir. Sorry to hear about your recent tribulations, I hope resolution comes soon for the knee and that Jarrod is doing better. Looking forward to new updates on the bridge dio but dont sweat it, life does have a habit of overwhelming us, we'll be here when you and Jarrod are ready to bless us with more of your amazing work.