My greatest hits of 2024... part 1
Things I wrote this year: health; happiness; bodies; feminism; clothes and wellness weirdness
It’s very easy at this time of year to get caught up in the flurry of peak silly season - and all the attendant deadlines and to-do lists - and forget to look back at the year.
I’m frequently guilty of this. My brain is often so FULL of all the things I need to do now, if not sooner; and that combined with menopause brain re-wiring means I sometimes forget things I’ve actually done. Does this happen to you? I’ll think: shit, I need to respond to that email! Only to discover that actually, I have replied to that email. And I managed to sound quite articulate and on top of things when I did it.
It’s a bit disconcerting.
I can also tend to forget some of the things I’ve written. In my journalism I’m so deadline-driven, and there’s always another deadline; another topic. Things can slip out of my head quite easily.
If I can miss things I’ve done, then the chances are close to 100% that my readers have, too. I try and post new writing on my Instagram but it can be hit and miss. Looking back over my output this year*, it turns out when it comes to journalism I’ve published approximately 35,000 words… and I reckon some of them are pretty good. See what you think!
*(ALSO: I released another book! I frequently forget how much work that was).
Here are my Greatest Hits of 2024
(Note: the Listener features here are behind a paywall, which I know is a barrier for some. If you are thinking of what to get for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life - or yourself - can I encourage you to support a local media outlet with a subscription. In doing so, you are supporting the still-working local journalists like me. Thanks in advance. All the other content here is free to view).
The most important thing I wrote this year…
The messages GenX women need to hear about their bodies - RNZ
I need to re-read this regularly when I have body image wobbles. I recommend you do, too.
The most fun thing I wrote this year…
Going to town in an annual celebration of art deco style means embracing vintage, not the era’s values
I had a blast at the Art Deco Festival in Napier last February. It sparked a new obsession with 1920s fashion and had me booking tickets straight away for next year.
The thing that stayed in my mind the most this year
Happy hacks: How Buddhism can lead to calm and contentment
I can’t say I am now a Buddhist. But my talks with Tony Fernando and my reading of his book did spark something for me; and some things that really resonated; things that keep coming back to me.
The thing I had the most feedback about this year
A different ending for Pauline
On Pauline Hanna and the story she should have had. This was re-published in the Herald, but here’s the link to the original story, as published on my Substack. I made a few people cry with this one. I cried, too.
And also… (on a completely different note)
Why is it so hard to find a good pair of togs? - RNZ
You all had a LOT to say about this (see also: my Insta).
Important health stuff
Bones, balance and ageing: the surprising links between bone and brain health
Should there be sex education for adults? - RNZ
Alcohol and women - We all know this - but we need to hear it again. Alcohol is not our friend.
Ozempic and the new weight-loss drugs
Never not working: how workaholism damages health and family life
Just relax: The best anti-stress strategies for mind & body - the importance of rest
The weird health trends I wrote about this year (all for RNZ)
Hot girl gut issues
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/507420/have-you-got-hot-girl-gut-issues
Continuous glucose monitoring
https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018927959/health-explainer-continuous-glucose-monitors
Demonising of hormonal birth control
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/516220/health-explainer-hormonal-birth-control
IV vitamin drips
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/508381/do-you-really-need-an-intravenous-vitamin-drip
Feminist stuff
Mothering is important, but does it define women? Why are we always defined by our relationships to others? (RNZ)
Is menopause stopping women stepping into senior roles? (Listener)
International Women’s Day: how can we have equity when we don’t have pockets? I can probably just re-publish this one again next year (RNZ)
News you can use…
Refer back to these ones in the holidays… (All for RNZ)
How to get fitter and stronger without the gym https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/505910/how-to-get-fitter-and-stronger-without-the-gym
Five ways to actually improve your health this year https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/505888/five-ways-to-actually-improve-your-health-this-year
AND in case you missed it (and because this shit is still everywhere)
Is there any value to the Carnivore diet?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/stories/2018908736/is-there-any-nutritional-value-to-the-carnivore-diet
Collagen supplements: can you eat yourself pretty?https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/494540/collagen-supplements-can-you-eat-yourself-pretty
Why I won’t shut up about menopause (The Spinoff)
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/03-02-2023/why-i-wont-shut-up-about-menopause
In Part 2 of this ‘year in review’ I’ll share all my media and podcast appearances - if only to remind myself when I start to think ‘what have I done with my time..?’
See you soon!
