Well, I’m back from spending time with my family, and I’ve had a really great few days away. I got to visit my sisters and their families, which was so much fun — all of us together, catching up, laughing, and just being with each other. I also spent Boxing Day with my Auntie June and her family, which was lovely. It felt good to slow down and talk about everything we’ve achieved this year.

On Boxing Day, I was chatting with my cousin Russell, and my cousin Stuart too. We’re all self-employed, and Russell said something that really stuck with me:

Being self-employed isn’t easy. Some people fail at it, and some people thrive off it.

And he’s right.

What he also said was this:
Some months you earn a lot of money, and some months you don’t.

That really hit home for me, because it’s true in my world too. Okay, I’m not earning half the money I probably should be, but that’s alright. Like Russell said, as long as the bills are paid and there’s food on the table, everything else can wait.

If friends want to see me, they can come here, or we can go for a walk. It doesn’t always have to cost money. Time matters more.

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What Is Privilege?

What is privilege?
For a long time, I thought privilege meant being rich — parents giving you money, having everything handed to you. But it’s not that simple. It’s much bigger than that.

I’m privileged — not because I’m rich, but because I’ve got friends and loved ones around me who support me. I’ve got an agency, Ingenious Fools, who believe in what I do. And yes, some of the ideas I come up with are a bit mad — but they’re always written down somewhere, because maybe that idea won’t work this year, but it might work next year.

That support?
That belief?
That’s privilege.

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And What Does Working Class Mean?

Working class, to me, has always meant working all your life — and that’s what I’ve tried to do. Okay, I had a ten-year gap where I was drinking a lot and very depressed. But since I was 35, I’ve always worked — whether that’s volunteering, making artwork, or now doing comedy.

So before you judge someone as “privileged” or “working class”, maybe take a moment and think about who they actually are.

Like the saying goes:
Don’t judge a book by its cover.

I’ve always tried to teach people that just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they’re not intelligent. Take five minutes. You might find they like the same things as you, laugh at the same stuff, enjoy the same hobbies. Yes, they might need adaptations or support — but they’re still human beings.

Looking Ahead

I’ve already made plans for next year. I’m going away to visit my friend Lucy next month. It’s only for two or three nights, but it’s still a proper break — a chance to get away, have some fun, and make new memories. Lucy also has cerebral palsy, like me, and she’s an artist too, which makes it even nicer to share that time together.lucyappleart.co.uk

When people ask me what my goals are for next year, the answer is actually quite simple.

Yes, I want to make money and stay self-employed if I can.
But more than that, I want to enjoy life.
I want to make new memories with friends — old ones and new ones.
I want more laughter, more connection, and less pressure.

Ending the Year My Way

I’ve been invited to a New Year’s party, but to be honest, I’d rather be in the shed, earning a bit of money and setting myself up so I can pay the bills going into next year. I might still pop in for the last hour just to share a moment with friends — because that’s what it’s really about — connection.

I do like parties, don’t get me wrong. But over the past three years, I’ve realised something about myself. I can be in a room full of people and still feel very alone. The last couple of years, I stayed in and kept things quiet at home, and that suited me.

I’ve always encouraged the people I care about to go out and enjoy themselves, and that’s something I’m genuinely glad about this year too — that they’re surrounded by friends, having fun, and not feeling held back.

As for me, I’m comfortable being the quieter one.
And that’s okay.

Parties aren’t for everyone — and learning that about myself has been a good thing.