Holy Crap Its Christmas Already
Has it really been a year? I blinked. I had a coffee. I did a bit of work. I shouted at the news a few times. And suddenly, Noddy Holder is screaming "It’s Christmas!" at me every time I walk into a shop.
Where did 2025 go?
It feels like this year has flashed by at warp speed, yet at the same time, it feels like it’s lasted a decade. It has been a weird one, hasn’t it?
The Year of "What Now?"
If I had to sum up 2025 in one phrase, it would be "Oh, for f**k sake!"
We’ve watched the UK political scene turn into even more of a pantomime than usual. And not the fun kind with a dame throwing sweets at the kids. The kind where the theatre is on fire and the actors are fighting over the exits.
And then there was The Budget.
I don’t want to get too deep into the weeds of it (my blood pressure won't take it), but let’s just say it felt personal. It was another masterclass in squeezing the small business owner, the plumbers, the designers, the shopkeepers, until the pips squeak. Meanwhile, the super-rich seemingly sail off on yachts made entirely of tax loopholes.
It’s exhausting. Trying to run a business is hard enough without the goalposts moving every five minutes.
Thank F**k That’s Over
I speak to a lot of you, and the general consensus is simple. We are all ready for this year to be done.
2025 has been a grind. It’s been "quiet" (as I wrote about in my last post). It’s been unpredictable. It’s been a year of pedalling hard just to stand still.
But here is the thing. We are still here.
Despite the politicians doing their best to confuse us, despite the economy doing a wobbly, and despite the relentless march of AI threatening to replace us all with chatbots... we are still standing. The "Open" sign is still on the door.
So, What About 2026?
I’m not going to give you some "New Year, New Me" nonsense. I’m not going to tell you to "manifest your destiny" for 2026.
My plan for next year is simple, and I suggest you adopt it too: Keep showing up.
- Ignore the Noise: The news will still be a mess in 2026. The politicians will still be useless. Ignore it. Focus on what you can control. Your business. Your customers. Your coffee intake.
- Stick Together: Small businesses need to support small businesses. If the big guys aren't going to help us, we have to help each other. Buy local. Hire freelancers. Recommend your mates.
- Don't Panic: (See my previous blog post!).
Have a Break
Serious note to finish. You have worked hard this year. Harder than you probably realise.
So, over the festive period, try to actually stop. Close the laptop. Turn off the email notifications on your phone. Eat too much cheese. Drink until you know you'll regret it.
The madness will still be there in January. You don’t need to worry about it now.
Merry Christmas. See you on the other side.