January: A New Beginning
The Myth of the New Year Reset
Wow! What a beginning to the year January has been. People always believe that when the clock strikes midnight on 31st December, the chance for a fresh start, a new beginning, or the magical opportunity to become a better version of yourself truly begins. There’s a magic in the air, a hopefulness that the new year will sweep away the old stuff — the bad habits and the relationships that continually pull you down.
My New Year Started With Fear, Not Fireworks
For me, on that date, I was full of apprehension, nervousness, and anxiety. Only weeks before, I had officially launched Beau’s Best Friends as my new business, taking the plunge into self‑employment after having a very secure job in the public sector for 18 years. I swear that when I told people what I was going to do, they looked at me as if I was mad — crazy, even — with thoughts of “I’m sure she’s gone insane?” This was usually followed by more serious and sensible questions like, “What about your pension?”
Now, to me, that is at least another twenty years away, and being the very middle‑aged person that I am at nearly 44, I thought — rather depressingly — that I only have half of my life left to figure it all out, so I have to make the most of it. Being an Aries hot‑head, the only thing I can ever do is live in the moment, and if the moment isn’t making me happy, then I have to do something about it — immediately.
Why I Created Beau’s Best Friends
Regarding the creation of Beau's Best Friends, it’s a question I’m asked about a lot. I absolutely love animals of any kind, and I love being outside in nature. The times when I have sought peace in my life, or have felt worried or out of control, I’ve always managed to put my mind back into a moment of pure joy and calm by putting on my boots, grabbing a lead, and wandering off down the canal towpath with my best buddies — my dogs, Henry and Beau.
There were many moments, particularly when Covid hit us all hard and walking became my salvation, when I wondered how I could turn this feeling — this action — into a career choice. After nearly two decades in a structured, demanding environment, I realised that the pace and nature of the role no longer aligned with the life I wanted to lead. It wasn’t about the organisation or the people — it was simply that my priorities had shifted, and I needed a different rhythm, one that supported my wellbeing and allowed me to reconnect with the things that made me feel grounded.
It became clear that something had to change, and I wanted that change to be on my own terms. So I took the leap.
Finding My Spiritual Path in Nature
Alongside all of this, something else was quietly growing in me — a pull toward spirituality that I’d never fully explored before. I’ve started embracing neo‑paganism and walking the path of a baby druid — still learning, still curious, still finding my way. It’s not about rituals or labels for me; it’s about recognising the sacred in the everyday. The whisper of wind through the reeds. The way the canal reflects the sky. The grounding comfort of mud under my boots. The sense that nature holds answers if you’re quiet enough to listen.
This spiritual shift has woven itself into my work without me even trying. Every walk feels like a small act of devotion. Every animal I care for reminds me of the interconnectedness of everything. And every moment outdoors strengthens that feeling of belonging — to the land, to myself, to something bigger.
Training, Leaping, and Launching Into the Unknown
I got myself canine‑trained, completed my Dog First Aid certification in November, and launched myself into the unknown full of expectation, excitement, and apprehension. Anyone would think I was an astronaut heading into space — not a dog walker!
January’s Gifts: People, Pets, and Possibility
So, January — why is it then that I’m thanking you for a new beginning? I’m thanking you for making me realise that my dream is more than a possibility, that there is real potential out there. I’ve managed to meet and greet some wonderful people from all different backgrounds, and all of them so far have become one of “Beau’s Besties” by joining my pack.
I’ve met a variety of dogs and cats with their own individual quirks, each of which has made me smile every time I’ve met them and every time I’ve walked them. They’ve helped me realise my self‑worth again — that I can change career at 43 and the world will not explode.
What’s more, the creative side of me is thriving. It’s as if the stress has been removed and my imagination station is in overdrive. I genuinely haven’t been this creative since my time at Bretton Hall twenty years ago.
A Message for Anyone Thinking of Changing Their Life
You may be asking — why is she writing this? Because if anything, on a positive note, there is a life out there, and you can make it what you want it to be. Go and buck that trend. Make those changes, however big or small they may be. Most of all — make yourself happy.
I’m not going to lie, financially things are a lot tougher than they were, but I’m also not as frivolous. I don’t need to cheer myself up by buying myself gifts; my gifts are now the wagging tails and the wet noses, the wind in my hair and the smell of wet grass.
So if you’ve booked your pet in with me over this past month, then I want to say a big thank you — this feeling of satisfaction and inner peace that I have is because of you. And to anyone who has clicked on a post, liked, or commented — another massive shout‑out for engaging with my content and helping me get the name Beau’s Best Friends out there. I couldn’t be in this position without you.
If you happen to still be reading this and are wondering if you can change your life too, I can assure you that you can. All it takes is little steps, just like a walk, and you will finally get to where you’re meant to be.
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