A letter from May 14, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Hello from my desk. It's a very warm week, though this morning isn't too bad - there's a chilly breeze. We've just had lunch, and a walk by the river and a sit outside. There's lots to do but it doesn't matter too much. We went out for dinner last night, we're out at L*****'s launch tonight, I'm off to Reading this weekend then J**** is coming. Busy! Spring fever is so nice, it sneaks up on us every year and every year it is a surprise but we love to see our friends. I imagine it's just as busy and lovely this year, maybe even more so. Remember a year ago (two for you, reading this), when this - work pals, mental space - felt impossible? It's a good bit of perspective actually considering I've been pretty stressed the last few weeks - so much to do for July, so much to do in the library. I'm hoping it's just that this is my first time doing it all - spinning all these plates, working closely with someone I don't know that well, plus I didn't have this much freedom over my time or work before - and that I'll get better at it with a bit of practice. Probably I will. Thinking about how different things were a year ago is a bit mindblowing actually. I was trying my best to keep going but it was so so hard. I was doing the PD recataloguing project which I'm glad I did - I did so much in that last term that I'll never know the impact of, which is a shame bc I worked so hard! I hadn't applied for this job yet - I don't know if I'd even decided for sure that I would. I was so worried about Going Backwards, and about the longer hours, but it was definitely the right decision. If I'd still been there in the autumn it would have been much, much harder. And I've grown so much already, and it's not even been a year - I'm more confident, I've learnt so much, I do so much. I am actually quite good at all this. Idk maybe we feel differently while you're reading this - either it's all gone wildly wrong (argh) or, more likely, we've learnt a lot more since and it's funny looking back on now when I still knew so little. Is the rose still alive? It's got some buds on it now but I knocked a couple of bits off and I'm a bit worried about it. If not, just get a new one. Maybe in a bigger pot. It's only money and it'll make you so happy. Go and water the plants. And go birdwatching. It's probably been too long. And smooch that wife. Love you!!!!!