Eliza's blog: Out With The Old, In With The New.

I have finally sat down after sorting out all the bits and bobs that have accumulated in my childhood bedroom over the last few years. I don’t know why but now this seems to be an annual thing I do in those weird days between Christmas and New Years. Despite the hours it takes to sort through it all, finding the random things reminds me of memories I had with those items. First, I found a small peach body spray which I took on my solo trip to Bali three years ago. I bought this body spray in Superdrug for about £4 as I didn’t want to take anything expensive on this trip. One spray of that and I’m taken back to my accommodation in the rural village of Tianyar, soaking in the UV 12 rays with my fellow volunteers. Oh, to be back there right now! In the next box, a wad of photos appeared before me, and I think my dad would probably remember those better than me. For context, I went to Boots and got roughly 150 photos printed which 15-year-old me deemed ‘cool’. I then stuck these on my freshly plastered and painted bedroom walls with bluetak. One year later and I was already bored of this picture wall, so I pulled them off the walls one-by-one. I’m sure you can see where I am going with this one… but if not, let’s just say the walls had to be replastered and painted over (and dad wasn’t too impressed). After finally sorting my stuff out and despite the slight headache after being crouched down on the floor for so long, I feel accomplished and like I have had a reset.

I hope 2026 is a year of trying and learning new things. In terms of new year’s resolutions, I don’t really have things I want to give up as such, but I have a few things in mind that I want to get better at. For example, start meal prepping for dinners in the week. I used to do this a lot more, but as work has been so busy and we often get free food to take home, I find myself eating work leftovers or scrambling in Sainsbury’s late at night for something simple to cook. By preparing meals for the week, I can be more organised and in control of what I’m eating. Next is to buy a few less coffee’s out. I don’t want to completely strip myself of this one because a coffee out in the morning brings me pure happiness. However, sometimes I pay upwards of £5 so doing this several times a week really adds up, but perhaps such a dopamine hit isn’t so bad... Lastly, I want to perfect my sourdough bread making (arguably the hardest one). For my twin brother’s birthday in October, I took us on a Sourdough starter course in Borough Market, to understand how to make the perfect starter. We learnt a lot in this class, including that the sourdough starter (named Bruce), they use in this bakery has been going for over 12 years. Since then, I have been feeding my starter weekly. Sometimes it can get pretty stressful and you can understand if you have ever mothered a sourdough starter. I have sacrificed time and money into this passion so far, buying a beautiful red cast iron pan to cook the loaves in, missed nights out, and even had to leave work early as Freddie (my starter), needed a feed. Now you may think I am crazy but until you have been in my position, I will not hear it. In 2026, I want to make the perfect loaf. This will take time and effort, but I am motivated, and I’m sure someone will eat my stodgy loaves on their way to perfection.

For New Years Eve this year, I am having a chilled night in with friends. At 25 I don’t think I can hack a big hangover anymore, and this doesn’t feel like a productive way to start the year off. We will cook a homemade lasagne and play some board games, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. As for the rest of 2026, I am looking forward to seeing what is in store. Hopefully some great sourdough and ample amounts of tupperware for my meal prep!

Eliza (25), works in HR at an Investment Bank in the City of London. When she is not at work she spends her time playing netball, seeing friends and exploring all the coffee shops South West London has to offer.