All I want for Christmas is…
When Bristol docks froze solid, Dec 2022
2022 in review, with gratitude
Every Content Writing Club session begins with a free-writing exercise - 10 minutes of unfettered self-expression - pen on paper - before we get down to the business of writing for our businesses. I always look forward to this practise.
This month’s creative jumping off point was suitably festive: “All I want for Christmas is…” You never know quite where the writing will take you, but, as I’m sure anyone in the UK who experienced our recent mini ice age will understand, the first thought that came to mind for me was…“Warmth!”
This got me thinking. On reflection, there has been so much life-enhancing warmth and humanity at play in my work this year. Looking back on 2022 in review, here is a grateful shout out to those who have made this year special for me.
Brilliant collaborators
Business planning retreat in Dorset with Sue Bush, Dec 22
No woman is an island (please keep reminding me of this!). I love working independently, but sometimes miss a team around me, so I feel lucky to have had the pleasure of working closely with great people this year.
The combination of freedom and connection is perfect for me and, thanks to this bunch of collaborators and friends, I never feel professionally lonely. Working life is better together.
Sue Bush: Brand strategy queen - you started as my client, and now we work together on brand and content projects. I love the combination of our skills and the impact we can make. I’m learning so much from you. Hoping for many more joint projects with you and The Co-Foundry in 2023.
Sharon Tanton: My fabulous friend and co-conspirator for so many years now. I’m delighted for you in your new role as Director of Content for Cohesive Communications - they’re lucky to have you. I’m equally delighted that we will carry on running Content Writing Club together next year. Thank you for all the support, creativity and adventure. I cannot believe it took us 15 years to have a night out dancing! More of this next year, for sure.
With Sharon Tanton on a very chilly Christmas night out
Anna Wilson: for your unswerving loyalty, positivity and support, for sensitively transcribing the many client interviews this year, for lido trips and big nights out.
Becky Taylor: A calm, wise sounding board, always. For encouraging this post, and mutual check-ins on business development progress. Hoping for joint projects with you and Deckchair next year.
Big thanks to Mark Masters and the You Are The Media community. Honoured to be part of your extended family. Great to see you’re still swimming. I’ll come and join you down in Bournemouth for a Friday sea swim soon.
Fiona Craig: Client then coach and now friend. Enjoy your exciting new role, Fi, and thank you for the consistently excellent questions.
Chris Thurling: You know me well, and yet again, you’ve put some perfect opportunities my way. Thank you! My top referrer :)
James Perrott: The Underfall Yard cafe has done very well out of the pair of us this year. Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow, and upping my coffee game too (flat whites all the way).
And thanks to James Castro-Griffiths, super talented digital product designer and colleague at Nationwide. Thanks for keeping in touch, and for your encouragement and feedback. It’s so good to see you writing and creating. Keep it going, JCG. Putting valuable content out into the world draws serendipity and opportunity towards you. Watch this space :)
Wonderful clients
I have been lucky to work for fabulous people and organisations this year. The most successful projects are truly collaborative - clients and suppliers, working side-by-side as one trusting team with everyone piling in and supporting each other. I’ve definitely seen this cooperative ethos in action this year, and it’s made for happy projects and great results. Thanks to my clients for giving so much back.
Quartet Community Foundation: This was such a rewarding project - because of the impact Quartet makes for my local area, but also because of the dedication, courage and collaborative ethos of the team. New brand and website delivered on time and to budget, despite numerous bouts of Covid between us! Congratulations Suzanne, Di, Ronnie and team. With the cost of living crisis really biting now, I know how hard you’re working to to support local charities and community groups on the frontline.
Quartet’s new brand and website quartetcf.org.uk
Jo Twiselton: My longest-running client relationship. It’s great to see Twist’s evolution, with wellbeing now a growing part of your change work. Thank you for your check-ins - it makes a difference, Jo.
Gill and Adrian, Hospital Graphics: A new focus, brand and website for you. I’m delighted you’re doing this - good design can make an enormous difference in a hospital setting, and it’s great to see the work piling in for you from all over the world. Thanks for numerous coffees, lunches and G&Ts as part of our meetings. And I’m still in awe of Gill’s Northern Soul skills. (How do you DO that?)
Hospital Graphics www.hospitalgraphics.co.uk
Andrea Howe, the Get Real Project: Well done on over 8 years and 310 valuable Get Real Tips - amazing! And on your recent experiment with recorded video messages too - this is warm, honest and real, just like you. I’m so glad working on your content continues to give you such benefit, Andrea.
Zhimble: Thank you for the most generous act in the midst of our project work, Paul and Reinoud. I was moved by the stories of deep personal and organisational transformation I heard in your client feedback, and blown away by your kindness offering up some of the deep work for me when I needed it. You shifted the way I think. Here’s to an authentic, powerful new website and brand next year that gets your message across. And I cannot WAIT for the book - the business world needs this.
WithYou: Your side-by-side ethos is evident in the way you work with suppliers like me, as well as those who use your services. I’m inspired by your non-judgemental, compassionate, personalised approach and look forward to putting the insight from the interviews into action for the new website next year. Proud to work with you, Belinda, Stephen, Fay, Sally, Sarah and team - thank you for involving me.
The Content Writing Club community: It’s been a proper delight to spend an afternoon with you every month. Who knew that online sessions could feel so warm and real? Well done on everything you’ve written this year, and for encouraging others with your feedback. I look forward to seeing you all in January.
Outside thinking
Inspired by nature - walking, talking and thinking in the Mendip hills with Al Kennedy, early autumn
I’m struck by the clarity that descends on a walk in the woods or up on the hills. Everything falls into place, life and decisions seem simpler, reconnecting me with what really matters. Somehow, nature seems to reveal the right answer, every time.
Thanks for trusting me to work with you, Al Kennedy. Here’s to your new website and clear focus next year. I’m enjoying learning about regenerative principles, working in harmony with the seasons. It’s encouraging me to look more closely at how and where I can make a bigger difference to the world.
And then there’s the sea, my happiest place of all. I love introducing new people to the joy of swimming in the sea and marine lake at Clevedon. It wasn’t difficult to entice Mark Panay in - despite the cold. Thanks for pushing the boundaries, Mark. And for trusting me as part of the most energising workshop this year, with Sarah and Meta.
Clevedon Marine Lake, 16 December 2022 @ -1 degree C!
Business with humanity
Good business is personal. Thanks to everyone who has worked with me and supported me this year. It’s these moments of warmth and personal connection that make life and work so worthwhile.
Enjoy the festive break. Wishing you a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2023 too.
And if you ever fancy a swim, just shout!
With love from Sonja
PS: If you want to try the festive freewriting exercise I mention above, you’ll find it here: What I really want for Christmas is…
