How has 2025 been for you?
Discussion
This is normally v15Ben's thread but as I haven't seen one crop up yet, thought I'd start it. Hopefully he doesnt mind!
Annual reflection time... in traditional style:
How has 2025 been for you?
Overall: I thought 2024 was a whirlwind! 2025 has been even weirder. Our daughter has just turned 1 and its been a hell of a ride so far. Had some interesting and unexpected health issues this year and I need to gear up to try and get back to some sort of fitness again next year.
Family: My brother, who lives on the west coast of Ireland, is still just getting by and still just as chaotic! My parents are okay but can tell they're starting to age now. My wife and daughter all gravy. The wife decided not to go back to work and instead stay at home with the little one for a bit. It was a tough road to get here so we're trying to maximise the specialness of it all. I think its overlooked by many! We just have to cut the cloth accordingly.
Cars: No change. I still have my 2012 Volvo S80 but it's still only really being used for long journeys, it's starting to need work now as its getting older. I commute 6 miles to work through town on a 125 scoot, which I love. The OH still has her 2015 Smart 453 forfour. Great little car for nipping round town and short journeys. I used the Pembleton a lot in the spring when the weather was fine but not at all since June for reasons I'll go on to. Not really touched the A35 this year for the same reasons+baby.
Job: I'm still at the same company and they have been absolutely fab this year with my health issues regarding leave, pay, phased return to work etc. Couldn't wish for a better employer and I absolutely love the work too and had the opportunity to work on some of the coolest automotive and motorsport projects out there! The later part of the year has been quite full on though trying to meet very tight timescales.
Health: Wife and bub all good.... mine took a bit of a nosedive in summer! On my daughters christening in June I fell quite ill. Got jaundiced and ended up in Shrewsbury A&E waiting room for 73hrs in huge amounts of pain before being found a bed for 7 days, followed by an amublance transfer to my local hospital (Northampton). I spent 4 days there, before another ambulance transfer to a specialist university hospital (Leicester Glenfield) for a further 10 days. I was given some temporary external plumbing through my ribcage with catch tanks glued to my torso and sent home for 11 days before going back for some fairly major open surgery. That got infected and I was there for another 11 days. Was on ketamine for 3 days, plus all the usual opioids. I had a fairly "interesting" blockage in my common bile duct. I should in theory be all good now but I have a 10" scar across my torso and I'm still sore, get tired quickly, my tummy is all a funny shape where they had to seperate my stomach muscles from my ribcage and fold them down to get access. I had one drainage tube through my diaphragm for 10weeks and was off work for just over 3 months.
The only benefit to it was that I was at home for a lot of time so could see my daughter, even though I couldnt really do anything as I was in pain and had plumbing attached. Was nice to just see her.
Holidays: none to mention. Tried a few days in wales but bub absolutely hates the car so cut it short.
Home: Trying to babyproof it as best as possible but its a losing battle now shes a biped! Being away from home with a <1yo is very hard. Everything is exactly where you need it at home and theyre used to the smells, sounds and routine. We've tried visiting family a few times and its just stressful from start to end with zero sleep.
Plans for 2026: Hopefully start cycling and swimming again. I need build up some fitness following my surgery this year. Being a vegetable for a long time really times its toll. I may even join the gym and go in the evenings post baby bed time. I'd like to get the A35 back on it's wheels and maybe even start putting it together? If it's in paint by the end of the year itll be a success!
Template below if anyone wants to use it:
Overall:
Family:
Cars:
Job:
Health:
Holidays:
Home:
Plans for 2026:
Link to last year's thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Wishing everyone a good 2026!
Annual reflection time... in traditional style:
How has 2025 been for you?
Overall: I thought 2024 was a whirlwind! 2025 has been even weirder. Our daughter has just turned 1 and its been a hell of a ride so far. Had some interesting and unexpected health issues this year and I need to gear up to try and get back to some sort of fitness again next year.
Family: My brother, who lives on the west coast of Ireland, is still just getting by and still just as chaotic! My parents are okay but can tell they're starting to age now. My wife and daughter all gravy. The wife decided not to go back to work and instead stay at home with the little one for a bit. It was a tough road to get here so we're trying to maximise the specialness of it all. I think its overlooked by many! We just have to cut the cloth accordingly.
Cars: No change. I still have my 2012 Volvo S80 but it's still only really being used for long journeys, it's starting to need work now as its getting older. I commute 6 miles to work through town on a 125 scoot, which I love. The OH still has her 2015 Smart 453 forfour. Great little car for nipping round town and short journeys. I used the Pembleton a lot in the spring when the weather was fine but not at all since June for reasons I'll go on to. Not really touched the A35 this year for the same reasons+baby.
Job: I'm still at the same company and they have been absolutely fab this year with my health issues regarding leave, pay, phased return to work etc. Couldn't wish for a better employer and I absolutely love the work too and had the opportunity to work on some of the coolest automotive and motorsport projects out there! The later part of the year has been quite full on though trying to meet very tight timescales.
Health: Wife and bub all good.... mine took a bit of a nosedive in summer! On my daughters christening in June I fell quite ill. Got jaundiced and ended up in Shrewsbury A&E waiting room for 73hrs in huge amounts of pain before being found a bed for 7 days, followed by an amublance transfer to my local hospital (Northampton). I spent 4 days there, before another ambulance transfer to a specialist university hospital (Leicester Glenfield) for a further 10 days. I was given some temporary external plumbing through my ribcage with catch tanks glued to my torso and sent home for 11 days before going back for some fairly major open surgery. That got infected and I was there for another 11 days. Was on ketamine for 3 days, plus all the usual opioids. I had a fairly "interesting" blockage in my common bile duct. I should in theory be all good now but I have a 10" scar across my torso and I'm still sore, get tired quickly, my tummy is all a funny shape where they had to seperate my stomach muscles from my ribcage and fold them down to get access. I had one drainage tube through my diaphragm for 10weeks and was off work for just over 3 months.
The only benefit to it was that I was at home for a lot of time so could see my daughter, even though I couldnt really do anything as I was in pain and had plumbing attached. Was nice to just see her.
Holidays: none to mention. Tried a few days in wales but bub absolutely hates the car so cut it short.
Home: Trying to babyproof it as best as possible but its a losing battle now shes a biped! Being away from home with a <1yo is very hard. Everything is exactly where you need it at home and theyre used to the smells, sounds and routine. We've tried visiting family a few times and its just stressful from start to end with zero sleep.
Plans for 2026: Hopefully start cycling and swimming again. I need build up some fitness following my surgery this year. Being a vegetable for a long time really times its toll. I may even join the gym and go in the evenings post baby bed time. I'd like to get the A35 back on it's wheels and maybe even start putting it together? If it's in paint by the end of the year itll be a success!
Template below if anyone wants to use it:
Overall:
Family:
Cars:
Job:
Health:
Holidays:
Home:
Plans for 2026:
Link to last year's thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Wishing everyone a good 2026!
Edited by Ambleton on Monday 29th December 09:05
Overall:
Not great.
Family:
No change. Parents still around, I think my Mum may have the very, very early signs of memory loss. She often repeats things she told me previously when I visit them. Not just once, but 3 or 4 times over the course of a month. I remain resolutely single myself. I haven't had a date with any lady since late 23. And frankly I cant be bothered to go on yet another date with a lady I have things in common with, enjoy myself and then receive the inevitable "no spark" text the next day
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSlXmwGCEf4/
Cars:
No change. I haven't owned a "fun" car for years. Though recently I got my first NIP. I will admit I have exceeded the speed limit very often in my past. So 36 in a 30 was funny. And probably on balance about as good as I could hope for. A friend of mine recently text me a pic of his new BMW. Oh to have disposable income and a space to put it.
Job:
Same as last 8 years. Got an improvement in bonus terms about half way through. I feel like I work harder than at any point in my career so far. But I get the spoils
Health:
Underlying condition (Colitis) thankfully not flaring up. Ongoing sports related injuries that have needed physio, and are better, but not fixed
Holidays:
Trip to Paris in the spring was cancelled. Not been abroad since early 24 now
Home:
I've spoken elsewhere about my utterly s
tty neighbours. Well they still exist. Only now, I have more utterly st neighbours on the other side after my previous neighbours passed away and their son sold their property cheaply. Barring myself (or them) winning the Lottery/Euromillions I cannot see that changing ever. Its not like I'll be moving in with a girlfriend anytime. It is utterly depressing. FML!
Plans for 2026:
Have a couple of sporting events planned. One in Australia, somewhere I've never been before. All dependant on the above injuries, so if they dont repair themselves. I wont be doing anything. I dont expect to change my career. I dont expect to meet anybody for a relationship. I doubt things are going to massively improve in any meaningful way.
I'm "realistic" about the future shall we say.
Not great.
Family:
No change. Parents still around, I think my Mum may have the very, very early signs of memory loss. She often repeats things she told me previously when I visit them. Not just once, but 3 or 4 times over the course of a month. I remain resolutely single myself. I haven't had a date with any lady since late 23. And frankly I cant be bothered to go on yet another date with a lady I have things in common with, enjoy myself and then receive the inevitable "no spark" text the next day
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSlXmwGCEf4/
Cars:
No change. I haven't owned a "fun" car for years. Though recently I got my first NIP. I will admit I have exceeded the speed limit very often in my past. So 36 in a 30 was funny. And probably on balance about as good as I could hope for. A friend of mine recently text me a pic of his new BMW. Oh to have disposable income and a space to put it.
Job:
Same as last 8 years. Got an improvement in bonus terms about half way through. I feel like I work harder than at any point in my career so far. But I get the spoils
Health:
Underlying condition (Colitis) thankfully not flaring up. Ongoing sports related injuries that have needed physio, and are better, but not fixed
Holidays:
Trip to Paris in the spring was cancelled. Not been abroad since early 24 now
Home:
I've spoken elsewhere about my utterly s
tty neighbours. Well they still exist. Only now, I have more utterly st neighbours on the other side after my previous neighbours passed away and their son sold their property cheaply. Barring myself (or them) winning the Lottery/Euromillions I cannot see that changing ever. Its not like I'll be moving in with a girlfriend anytime. It is utterly depressing. FML! Plans for 2026:
Have a couple of sporting events planned. One in Australia, somewhere I've never been before. All dependant on the above injuries, so if they dont repair themselves. I wont be doing anything. I dont expect to change my career. I dont expect to meet anybody for a relationship. I doubt things are going to massively improve in any meaningful way.
I'm "realistic" about the future shall we say.
Edited by BunkMoreland on Sunday 28th December 20:47
Overall:
A hectic year that has passed by like lightning. Lots of gigs with my elder boys, but also lost a longtime family friend to cancer.
Family: Started the year with mother in law in hospital with heart problems, which is how she ended last year, and we end the year with no further information about her op, just a whisper of February being a possibility. My dad seems to be driving the kids mad with constant phone calls, sometimes several times a day, even when they're at school/college/uni/work.
Speaking of kids, when having a family, we clearly didn't give timings any thought.. As this year we managed, one doing GCSE's, one doing A levels and the eldest doing his dissertation. Stressful with a capital fking.
Eldest past his driving test. First time. With 0 minors or majors. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's Max Verstappen now.
Cars: Fiesta ST sat on the drive whilst I work from home, looked at a 986 Boxster, then MiL health plummeted again, so that went on a back burner.
Job: went for a promotion, didn't get it, ho hum.
Health:pretty good although my left knee is having the odd moment, especially in mosh pits..
Annoyingly.
Holidays: yep, nope.
Home still renting never likely to change that.
Plans for 2026: change of car would be a great start to the year. Keep an eye on different rolls at work,been doing the same roll for nearly 4 years now, so a change might be in need.
A hectic year that has passed by like lightning. Lots of gigs with my elder boys, but also lost a longtime family friend to cancer.
Family: Started the year with mother in law in hospital with heart problems, which is how she ended last year, and we end the year with no further information about her op, just a whisper of February being a possibility. My dad seems to be driving the kids mad with constant phone calls, sometimes several times a day, even when they're at school/college/uni/work.
Speaking of kids, when having a family, we clearly didn't give timings any thought.. As this year we managed, one doing GCSE's, one doing A levels and the eldest doing his dissertation. Stressful with a capital f
king. Eldest past his driving test. First time. With 0 minors or majors. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's Max Verstappen now.
Cars: Fiesta ST sat on the drive whilst I work from home, looked at a 986 Boxster, then MiL health plummeted again, so that went on a back burner.
Job: went for a promotion, didn't get it, ho hum.
Health:pretty good although my left knee is having the odd moment, especially in mosh pits..
Annoyingly.
Holidays: yep, nope.
Home still renting never likely to change that.
Plans for 2026: change of car would be a great start to the year. Keep an eye on different rolls at work,been doing the same roll for nearly 4 years now, so a change might be in need.
Overall: Pretty great tbh. No complaints.
Family: Wife and two adult sons are well. Youngest has just moved out so it's just me and the wife now. I've been diagnosed with a BCC (normally easily fixable skin cancer). About to have that dealt with, fingers crossed there should be no long term ramifications.
Cars: No change, again. We keep talking about getting a Porsche Macan, and continue to stick with the 8 y/o Merc GLC. I rarely drive these days, my wife uses the car and I cycle, walk or use the bus/tube free as I'm o/60.
Job: Nearly 5 years retired, it's the role I was born for. I continue to "work" as a volunteer medical courier for a cancer charity. 21 trips in 2025, 11 long haul, 9 European an 1 UK. 112K miles covered. Longest trip this year was Buenos Aires.
Holidays: Who needs them, see above. The wife and I had a few days in Porto and I went away with some mates to Munich.
Home Annoying, we love it but it's far too big, and stuff always needs attention.
Plans for 2026: Continue as per 2025. Off to Texas on Friday for the charity. And lose some weight.
Family: Wife and two adult sons are well. Youngest has just moved out so it's just me and the wife now. I've been diagnosed with a BCC (normally easily fixable skin cancer). About to have that dealt with, fingers crossed there should be no long term ramifications.
Cars: No change, again. We keep talking about getting a Porsche Macan, and continue to stick with the 8 y/o Merc GLC. I rarely drive these days, my wife uses the car and I cycle, walk or use the bus/tube free as I'm o/60.
Job: Nearly 5 years retired, it's the role I was born for. I continue to "work" as a volunteer medical courier for a cancer charity. 21 trips in 2025, 11 long haul, 9 European an 1 UK. 112K miles covered. Longest trip this year was Buenos Aires.
Holidays: Who needs them, see above. The wife and I had a few days in Porto and I went away with some mates to Munich.
Home Annoying, we love it but it's far too big, and stuff always needs attention.
Plans for 2026: Continue as per 2025. Off to Texas on Friday for the charity. And lose some weight.
Overall: yeah, not too bad. cant complain
Family: I dont have Kids so no immediate family and I saw my sister and her husband back in the summer when they visited Lisbon (I live in Portugal )me and GF are ... so so.. its ok but... hmm
Cars: nothing too exciting. In November but PXd my 2020 Ibiza Fr Sport and bought a new Cupra Formentor. Petrol mild hybrid, 7 speed flappy paddles very happy with it. I did have interest in the Renault 5 EV, as a second car, but the company who came to look to see if they could fit a charger in my underground garage slot said it couldn't be done. no point then.
Job: retired early some years ago (banking) . However im a guitarist and managed to join and create a new Covers band late in the year. we have only done a couple of gigs but they were received very well. good bunch of people with an outstanding Female singer. None are Portuguese, me and another Brit, a couple of Canadians and an American. really enjoying it and the standard is high, already have more gigs lined up (paid) so it is, sort of.. work...
Health: been ok usual aches and pains from tennis. 63 now, reasonably fit but playing singles with some youngsters is hard work! of course have the usual blood tests and erm... prods...and ECG things for tennis.
Holidays: only popped down to Algarve for a week in the summer... FFFING HOT 40 type thing.. stayed in the shade a lot and drank cold beers
I haven't been back to the UK in three years.. because... well.. why? I speak to friends on Zoom or WhatsApp and id rather spend time and money visiting European places.
Home: same place since I moved here in 2019 (bought in 2007 as a possible safety net / retirement option and rented it out to a long term tenant) . its fine.
Plans for 2026: music... more gigs with the new band. and as always I could lose a bit of lard. its not bad but things like HOT summers and beer dont work
well. I reckon I could lose 4 or 5 kilos. bit more travel in Europe because its so easy flying or train or driving when youre already here.
Family: I dont have Kids so no immediate family and I saw my sister and her husband back in the summer when they visited Lisbon (I live in Portugal )me and GF are ... so so.. its ok but... hmm
Cars: nothing too exciting. In November but PXd my 2020 Ibiza Fr Sport and bought a new Cupra Formentor. Petrol mild hybrid, 7 speed flappy paddles very happy with it. I did have interest in the Renault 5 EV, as a second car, but the company who came to look to see if they could fit a charger in my underground garage slot said it couldn't be done. no point then.
Job: retired early some years ago (banking) . However im a guitarist and managed to join and create a new Covers band late in the year. we have only done a couple of gigs but they were received very well. good bunch of people with an outstanding Female singer. None are Portuguese, me and another Brit, a couple of Canadians and an American. really enjoying it and the standard is high, already have more gigs lined up (paid) so it is, sort of.. work...
Health: been ok usual aches and pains from tennis. 63 now, reasonably fit but playing singles with some youngsters is hard work! of course have the usual blood tests and erm... prods...and ECG things for tennis.
Holidays: only popped down to Algarve for a week in the summer... FFFING HOT 40 type thing.. stayed in the shade a lot and drank cold beers
I haven't been back to the UK in three years.. because... well.. why? I speak to friends on Zoom or WhatsApp and id rather spend time and money visiting European places.
Home: same place since I moved here in 2019 (bought in 2007 as a possible safety net / retirement option and rented it out to a long term tenant) . its fine.
Plans for 2026: music... more gigs with the new band. and as always I could lose a bit of lard. its not bad but things like HOT summers and beer dont work
well. I reckon I could lose 4 or 5 kilos. bit more travel in Europe because its so easy flying or train or driving when youre already here.
Overall: Some big changes with son off to university and daughter to college (briefly).
Family: No real changes other than son is now away at university in Liverpool
Cars: Swapped the A5 for an A6 Avant because, well, 4 years!
. Wife still has her Kodiaq and son his Golf. It has slowed me down as whilst it has the same power and ultimate speed, it's nowhere near as agile and the box seems lazier. No bad thing and I still love it and it's still petrol and a quattro.
Job: Same job, same employer but magnitudes worse. They have shelved the product that I have helped build from scratch for 12 years. There is now just one dev and me testing. Bored witless and. I can see me part-retiring next year. I have a couple of pensions coming due and torn as to whether to take them and a lower-paid job or delay them and stick with it. The former is favourite right now.
Health: No changes to report, everyone still upright.
Holidays: Another trip to Center Parcs while son was with his mates in Menorca a couple of weeks after his 18th birthday. Mrs stemll not impress with him doing that but I was all "go for it" because I did similar 40 years ago.
Home: No changes to report but we do need new bathrooms next year. Been putting it off for far too long. Best done while son is at uni.
Plans for 2026: Support son through uni by paying his halls. In his first semester he has survived on his maintenance loan including fortnightly trips from Liverpool to Northamton to see his girlfriend. Then support his move into a studio as he's not enjoying halls with three strangers. Mrs again not happy with the increase in cost but, if it keeps him happy so he can get through his course then I will just do it regardless. Extra cost isn't as much as you might think, halls in Liverpool are suprisingly "cheap"
Family: No real changes other than son is now away at university in Liverpool
Cars: Swapped the A5 for an A6 Avant because, well, 4 years!
. Wife still has her Kodiaq and son his Golf. It has slowed me down as whilst it has the same power and ultimate speed, it's nowhere near as agile and the box seems lazier. No bad thing and I still love it and it's still petrol and a quattro.Job: Same job, same employer but magnitudes worse. They have shelved the product that I have helped build from scratch for 12 years. There is now just one dev and me testing. Bored witless and. I can see me part-retiring next year. I have a couple of pensions coming due and torn as to whether to take them and a lower-paid job or delay them and stick with it. The former is favourite right now.
Health: No changes to report, everyone still upright.
Holidays: Another trip to Center Parcs while son was with his mates in Menorca a couple of weeks after his 18th birthday. Mrs stemll not impress with him doing that but I was all "go for it" because I did similar 40 years ago.
Home: No changes to report but we do need new bathrooms next year. Been putting it off for far too long. Best done while son is at uni.
Plans for 2026: Support son through uni by paying his halls. In his first semester he has survived on his maintenance loan including fortnightly trips from Liverpool to Northamton to see his girlfriend. Then support his move into a studio as he's not enjoying halls with three strangers. Mrs again not happy with the increase in cost but, if it keeps him happy so he can get through his course then I will just do it regardless. Extra cost isn't as much as you might think, halls in Liverpool are suprisingly "cheap"
Edited by stemll on Sunday 28th December 23:17
Overall:
It was okay. I wrote last year that I was expecting/planning a holding pattern and for the most part that was what happened.
Family:
Parents and the rest of the family are all well. Still single...Towards the end of the year I did put myself out a lot more and had some dates with a couple of guys. It was a much more positive experience this time where I frequently matched up with people who were genuinely looking for something serious. There were two guys where things progressed a bit more and I had a few dates with them, but then didn't feel it on my side. To be honest I'm so inexperienced when it comes to dating I've struggled with navigating how I feel/how I should be feeling, almost like I've been so used to being on my own and being independent that the relationship/dating 'part of my brain' has been shut down. One of those guys occasionally still messages me so could be worth exploring again, and have had a couple of guys message on instagram that I could try and meet with, so I can't really mope around and say nobody wants me something I've been terrible for in the past.
Cars:
Now 3 years with the mighty Mito (an ownership record for me
) just doing what it needs to do. The MG had a lot of love, lot of money spent, and a lot of bits and pieces fitted/refurbed/replaced. Took it to a few events and started going to a regular event at a pub with a few mates, and the social aspect has been great. Exactly what I bought the car for really. Still more to do on it, but its in a really good place now.
Job:
Been a bit of an odd one. I've not really enjoyed the projects that I've been working on this year, and there has also been a lot of firefighting due to not having enough staff. I've been frustrated at being asked to do more and more under the pretence of 'personal growth', I feel that I am being leaned on to make up the shortfalls of other staff, and see it as a quicker route to burnout or having a flare up of Crohns. While seeing other colleagues taking it easy I have struggled to get understanding and just a little bit of leeway to help me manage my condition. However, I'm starting a new project in the new year, which while I'm expecting to be extremely busy, I am looking forward to.
Health:
The usual ups and downs of Crohns Disease. It is about as well managed as it can be although since being on my current medication I'm not entirely convinced it's as effective as it should be. Kept picking up other peoples illnesses from work due to a reduced immune system which was highly frustrating.
Fitness - Bought a rowing machine, used it and then got ill so stopped, got back into doing weights, and then got ill so stopped, got back on the bike to do some zwift...and then got ill so stopped. You get the picture. Aside from the frustrations I would say mentally this year I have been better than I was in 24.
Holidays:
Nothing that I would class as a holiday. I've had time off work. I'm currently saving money so holidays are not something that I can afford.
Home:
Still renting, been in the current place 6 years and very happy there. Saving money for a house deposit. I'm hoping that towards the end of 2026 I will be at the point where I can seriously start looking at buying. First port of call would be to see if my landlord would be interested in selling the place I'm renting as it will need work (heating system, windows/doors, insulation) to have any hope of continuing to let the property when I leave should the legislation change.
Plans for 2026:
Again, it's largely going to be a holding pattern in 2026 for most things. Keep my head down and crack on at work (which I think should be better this year). I keep eyeing up replacements for the Alfa but my sensible side has so far been successful at repressing any urges, the MG will continue to be tinkered with and go to meets and shows, maybe a trackday (which would be my first) this year.
There will be no 'holidays' or major extravagances. Keep on tucking money away for that home buying goal.
Biggest things in 26 are to improve/try to keep my health steady with regards to the Crohns Disease. I want to get back on the weights (again) and get into a decent, sustainable routine, and make progress, I'll never look like a bodybuilder, I've always been a slim build but if I can put a little more weight on, increase some muscle mass and definition I'd be really pleased. I always feel at my best when I get into a good groove and maintain a strong routine. Then I want to continue dating and see what that holds too.
Ben
It was okay. I wrote last year that I was expecting/planning a holding pattern and for the most part that was what happened.
Family:
Parents and the rest of the family are all well. Still single...Towards the end of the year I did put myself out a lot more and had some dates with a couple of guys. It was a much more positive experience this time where I frequently matched up with people who were genuinely looking for something serious. There were two guys where things progressed a bit more and I had a few dates with them, but then didn't feel it on my side. To be honest I'm so inexperienced when it comes to dating I've struggled with navigating how I feel/how I should be feeling, almost like I've been so used to being on my own and being independent that the relationship/dating 'part of my brain' has been shut down. One of those guys occasionally still messages me so could be worth exploring again, and have had a couple of guys message on instagram that I could try and meet with, so I can't really mope around and say nobody wants me
something I've been terrible for in the past.Cars:
Now 3 years with the mighty Mito (an ownership record for me
) just doing what it needs to do. The MG had a lot of love, lot of money spent, and a lot of bits and pieces fitted/refurbed/replaced. Took it to a few events and started going to a regular event at a pub with a few mates, and the social aspect has been great. Exactly what I bought the car for really. Still more to do on it, but its in a really good place now.Job:
Been a bit of an odd one. I've not really enjoyed the projects that I've been working on this year, and there has also been a lot of firefighting due to not having enough staff. I've been frustrated at being asked to do more and more under the pretence of 'personal growth', I feel that I am being leaned on to make up the shortfalls of other staff, and see it as a quicker route to burnout or having a flare up of Crohns. While seeing other colleagues taking it easy I have struggled to get understanding and just a little bit of leeway to help me manage my condition. However, I'm starting a new project in the new year, which while I'm expecting to be extremely busy, I am looking forward to.
Health:
The usual ups and downs of Crohns Disease. It is about as well managed as it can be although since being on my current medication I'm not entirely convinced it's as effective as it should be. Kept picking up other peoples illnesses from work due to a reduced immune system which was highly frustrating.
Fitness - Bought a rowing machine, used it and then got ill so stopped, got back into doing weights, and then got ill so stopped, got back on the bike to do some zwift...and then got ill so stopped. You get the picture. Aside from the frustrations I would say mentally this year I have been better than I was in 24.
Holidays:
Nothing that I would class as a holiday. I've had time off work. I'm currently saving money so holidays are not something that I can afford.
Home:
Still renting, been in the current place 6 years and very happy there. Saving money for a house deposit. I'm hoping that towards the end of 2026 I will be at the point where I can seriously start looking at buying. First port of call would be to see if my landlord would be interested in selling the place I'm renting as it will need work (heating system, windows/doors, insulation) to have any hope of continuing to let the property when I leave should the legislation change.
Plans for 2026:
Again, it's largely going to be a holding pattern in 2026 for most things. Keep my head down and crack on at work (which I think should be better this year). I keep eyeing up replacements for the Alfa but my sensible side has so far been successful at repressing any urges
, the MG will continue to be tinkered with and go to meets and shows, maybe a trackday (which would be my first) this year.There will be no 'holidays' or major extravagances. Keep on tucking money away for that home buying goal.
Biggest things in 26 are to improve/try to keep my health steady with regards to the Crohns Disease. I want to get back on the weights (again) and get into a decent, sustainable routine, and make progress, I'll never look like a bodybuilder, I've always been a slim build but if I can put a little more weight on, increase some muscle mass and definition I'd be really pleased. I always feel at my best when I get into a good groove and maintain a strong routine. Then I want to continue dating and see what that holds too.
Ben
I don't think I've posted in one of these before.
Overall: Some good, some not so good, but I can't really complain overall - 2025 hasn't been bad to me.
Family: No change from last year really - my son passed away in August last year and I'm still really struggling to deal with it. Despite assurances from professionals, not to mention lengthy investigations, I still feel I could have done more. Still separated from wife, but also still in the family home. Plans got completely thrown into disarray last year.
Cars: Sold the wheelchair car I used for my oldest son; it's gone to a good cause so that's a plus. I didn't need it, and I couldn't bring myself to drive it. I also had Audi TT which I sold, because getting in and out of it was a nightmare. Instead, I did the entirely sensible thing and picked up a 2007 Audi S6 Avant V10 as my runaround, and as expected it's quite happily eating cash as I attempt to fix various issues.
Job: Got promoted into a management position at the start of the year, and it's been a very long, very busy year.
Health: Knackered knee number 1 has a new friend in knackered knee number 2. Gained a bit of weight that I need to shift, but honestly I lack the motivation.
Holidays: None, bar a few days in Cornwall. I had a couple of work trips, one to Singapore and one to Germany, but that's all.
Home: No change there.
Plans for 2026: I haven't made any yet, but I do know that I need to look after myself more, and maybe even build some kind of social life. I rarely get out at the moment. I also need to make longer term plans for my future too for my family and home life. I need to make proper use of my motorbikes too, they saw very little action in 2025.
Overall: Some good, some not so good, but I can't really complain overall - 2025 hasn't been bad to me.
Family: No change from last year really - my son passed away in August last year and I'm still really struggling to deal with it. Despite assurances from professionals, not to mention lengthy investigations, I still feel I could have done more. Still separated from wife, but also still in the family home. Plans got completely thrown into disarray last year.
Cars: Sold the wheelchair car I used for my oldest son; it's gone to a good cause so that's a plus. I didn't need it, and I couldn't bring myself to drive it. I also had Audi TT which I sold, because getting in and out of it was a nightmare. Instead, I did the entirely sensible thing and picked up a 2007 Audi S6 Avant V10 as my runaround, and as expected it's quite happily eating cash as I attempt to fix various issues.
Job: Got promoted into a management position at the start of the year, and it's been a very long, very busy year.
Health: Knackered knee number 1 has a new friend in knackered knee number 2. Gained a bit of weight that I need to shift, but honestly I lack the motivation.
Holidays: None, bar a few days in Cornwall. I had a couple of work trips, one to Singapore and one to Germany, but that's all.
Home: No change there.
Plans for 2026: I haven't made any yet, but I do know that I need to look after myself more, and maybe even build some kind of social life. I rarely get out at the moment. I also need to make longer term plans for my future too for my family and home life. I need to make proper use of my motorbikes too, they saw very little action in 2025.
Edit: To the above poster - terribly sorry for your loss.
Overall: Fairly good! Infrequent poster on here but do browse every few days
Family: Kids growing up fast, everyone staying healthy
Cars: No change, ratty old red Merc C-Class with chronic lacquer peel also have a TVR Chimaera, Other half has a Fiesta since 2018
Job: No change other than a move in location which is closer to home
Health: No change with me, Mrs had a massive health scare in 23/24 but thankfully got through. Did take 10 months to get her driving licence back though
Holidays: Bike trip to France in May, didn't manage any other hols unfortunately
Home: Put my house on the market in July and sold within a few days, thankfully found another place and moved in Sept so plenty to do!
Plans for 2026: Quite heavy with house related stuff, hopefully get some miles done on the bike. Few jobs to do on the TVR. Need a family holiday in there as well.
Overall: Fairly good! Infrequent poster on here but do browse every few days
Family: Kids growing up fast, everyone staying healthy
Cars: No change, ratty old red Merc C-Class with chronic lacquer peel also have a TVR Chimaera, Other half has a Fiesta since 2018
Job: No change other than a move in location which is closer to home
Health: No change with me, Mrs had a massive health scare in 23/24 but thankfully got through. Did take 10 months to get her driving licence back though
Holidays: Bike trip to France in May, didn't manage any other hols unfortunately
Home: Put my house on the market in July and sold within a few days, thankfully found another place and moved in Sept so plenty to do!
Plans for 2026: Quite heavy with house related stuff, hopefully get some miles done on the bike. Few jobs to do on the TVR. Need a family holiday in there as well.
Edited by Fattyfat on Monday 29th December 02:15
Edited by Fattyfat on Monday 29th December 02:22
Overall:
A good year really, got fit and healthy, had some good times, turned 40.
Family:
No change, wife and kids are fantastic, friends and family are amazing. All healthy which is the most important thing in life.
Cars:
‘Won’ a Z4M on the PH auctions on an impulse. Spent some time getting that spot on.
Bought a Bentley GTC for my 40th, love it. Low mileage, nearly new, and more importantly, it’s orange.
Job:
Same sort of semi-retired working on a few things which may or may not come off in 2026, main part of the business ticks along with a great bunch of people working for me.
Health:
Lost 6.5 stone, got fit, cycled 900+ miles in 3 months which may not seem massive, but it was for me.
Holidays:
Went for it this year, Florida, Germany, Portugal, Sorrento, Marrakech, Abu Dhabi and going to New York in a couple of hours… all being well.
Home:
Had a year off doing anything to the house as 2024 was full on.
Plans for 2026:
Few things in the house, lads holiday as we have all turned 40, no other holidays planned but no doubt will. Have a couple of investments which will either rocket or die, I don’t think there’ll be anything in between so that will influence whether or not I add a 720s or Huracan. I want to do a few more car related things in 2026, PH meets etc, European road trip. Can’t wait to take my youngest to FOS in the summer, he’s going to love it.
All the best everyone, I hope everyone has a fantastic 2026.
A good year really, got fit and healthy, had some good times, turned 40.
Family:
No change, wife and kids are fantastic, friends and family are amazing. All healthy which is the most important thing in life.
Cars:
‘Won’ a Z4M on the PH auctions on an impulse. Spent some time getting that spot on.
Bought a Bentley GTC for my 40th, love it. Low mileage, nearly new, and more importantly, it’s orange.
Job:
Same sort of semi-retired working on a few things which may or may not come off in 2026, main part of the business ticks along with a great bunch of people working for me.
Health:
Lost 6.5 stone, got fit, cycled 900+ miles in 3 months which may not seem massive, but it was for me.
Holidays:
Went for it this year, Florida, Germany, Portugal, Sorrento, Marrakech, Abu Dhabi and going to New York in a couple of hours… all being well.
Home:
Had a year off doing anything to the house as 2024 was full on.
Plans for 2026:
Few things in the house, lads holiday as we have all turned 40, no other holidays planned but no doubt will. Have a couple of investments which will either rocket or die, I don’t think there’ll be anything in between so that will influence whether or not I add a 720s or Huracan. I want to do a few more car related things in 2026, PH meets etc, European road trip. Can’t wait to take my youngest to FOS in the summer, he’s going to love it.
All the best everyone, I hope everyone has a fantastic 2026.
Overall: mad one really, maddest out of 53
Family: Eldest son moved to Sydney and loves it. Other two same as ever, both working and in good health.
Split with wife.
Cars: Sold my BM 650i and bought a Maserati 4200GT
Job: Sold up in March and retired.
Health: diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago although it’s is fixable, bit of an eye opener tho!
Holidays: Week in Tenerife earlier in the year. I flew home after two days. Since then a great fortnight in Crete, and a week walling in Wales.
Home: renting for the first time ever.
Plans for 2026: Get over to Australia. Have a good few holidays with my other two kids
Family: Eldest son moved to Sydney and loves it. Other two same as ever, both working and in good health.
Split with wife.
Cars: Sold my BM 650i and bought a Maserati 4200GT
Job: Sold up in March and retired.
Health: diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago although it’s is fixable, bit of an eye opener tho!
Holidays: Week in Tenerife earlier in the year. I flew home after two days. Since then a great fortnight in Crete, and a week walling in Wales.
Home: renting for the first time ever.
Plans for 2026: Get over to Australia. Have a good few holidays with my other two kids
Overall: Crap.
Family: Mum has been diagnosed with returning cancer. Sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer, currently going through chemo.
Still single, partly by choice, so no changes there.
Cars: Had to sell my dream car due to loss of storage and financial constraints. Cried like a baby watching it drive away with the new owner.
Daily is on it's last legs so will have to replace it at some point.
Job: Got a permanent job after 2 years on the agency treadmill, but it's low paid and no option to increase that either. Will do for the time being but not feasible long-term.
Health: Poor. Really struggled with getting back into my hobbies (mountain biking, hill walking) that kept me on a good level since the pandemic. Got a lump that I need to get checked out in the New Year too, that's if I can get an GP appointment.
Holidays: Had a week mountain biking in the Alps so that was good.
Home: Still stuck renting, no real hope of that changing.
Plans for 2026: Get back to some semblance of fitness, survive.
Family: Mum has been diagnosed with returning cancer. Sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer, currently going through chemo.
Still single, partly by choice, so no changes there.
Cars: Had to sell my dream car due to loss of storage and financial constraints. Cried like a baby watching it drive away with the new owner.
Daily is on it's last legs so will have to replace it at some point.
Job: Got a permanent job after 2 years on the agency treadmill, but it's low paid and no option to increase that either. Will do for the time being but not feasible long-term.
Health: Poor. Really struggled with getting back into my hobbies (mountain biking, hill walking) that kept me on a good level since the pandemic. Got a lump that I need to get checked out in the New Year too, that's if I can get an GP appointment.
Holidays: Had a week mountain biking in the Alps so that was good.
Home: Still stuck renting, no real hope of that changing.
Plans for 2026: Get back to some semblance of fitness, survive.
Overall: Things could be worse. I have much to be grateful for so I try to remember that. It’s not always easy though.
Family: Eldest son is doing well but my youngest has been suffering with some serious mental health issues. He’s made some terrible allegations against family members. Thankfully we (including Police) have been able to prove they weren’t true but that doesn’t help him. The Police were actually fantastic and incredibly kind and supportive. I just hope he gets the help he needs soon.
Cars: I’m 60 next year (or so I’m told anyway!) so my daily is a Kia Sportage which does everything I need. The car that I actually enjoy (or will do soon I hope!) is a 1990 BMW 318is that I bought thanks to some friends. I’ve had E30 for years and spent a small fortune building my dream E30 M3, only to have to sell due to my poor health. I know it’s “only a car” but have spent so long making it my own, it was hard handing it over to someone else. I still have such great memories of that car though and a Petrolicious video to watch on YouTube. I have my 318is now though and the good people at Rally Prep near Newquay are getting it sorted for me. As I’ve said previously, I have a lot to be grateful for.
Job: I’m recovering from 3 months in hospital due to Sepsis so unable to work. That said, I’ve started looking in the hope that I can return to work soon.
Health: Way better than last year! Cellulitis and Sepsis has been tough to recover from. I’m 10 months in and still unable to walk without crutches. I’ve been trying to lose weight and am 4+ stone lighter than I was! I’m seeing this as a free power and performance hike for the E30! My only fear is that I won’t be able to continue with the weigh loss injections that have helped me. Time will tell obviously, but I really hope that I can continue to lose weight and improve my health overall.
Holidays: None for few years now but hope to visit my niece in Barbados soon. I’ve been lucky enough to go twice before and just love the place.
Home: Still in a small cottage in the middle of nowhere here in Cornwall. Quite content with the cows, sheep and horses as neighbours. No plans to move ever!
Plans for 2026: 60 in June and dropping heavy hints that I’d love to give a home to another rescue Labrador. I have 2 already but I’d have a house full if I could. I also hope to put as many miles on my E30 as possible! The only downside to living in Cornwall is that everything is so far away!
Hopefully though, I can get to some Sunday Service meets or a track day or two? Ultimately, I’d love to get to the Nurburgring in the E30 though! It’s literally a bucket list thing for me, so fingers crossed!Happy 2026
Overall: A very mixed bag, I'd say more negative than positive, sadly.
Family: Lost my Mum late last year quite suddenly, so spent much of the year coming to terms with that as she and I were close. Also lost my Uncle in March, although a shock, it was a blessing for him as his Alzheimer's had worsened such that he'd needed to be relocated to a nursing home on the mainland away from his beloved home on the Scilly Isles. Wife and I are OK, but having some significant ups and downs - think she's had enough of me, so will need to work hard on being a better husband/person. Step kids OK, youngest's been diagnosed with AuDHD, has been withdrawn from his college course and I seriously worry for his future. Eldest is OK, we think also probably AuDHD but undiagnosed, is struggling to find work as well as battling other mental health issues / being transgender. There's also been a big family split with my in-laws, which has been tricky to navigate as we're close with both sides.
Cars: Our VW Tiguan's thrown up some major issues this year, and we were on the verge of chopping it in via WBAC. However, we decided to spend many £ getting it sorted, and it's almost good as new (well, as good as a 14-year-old, 155k car can be). We treated ourselves to a brand-new Mazda CX-5 in the summer, which we both love (was going to be the replacement for the aforementioned Tiguan). We've had it since the very end of July, and it's already done over 7,000 miles.
Job: No change, happy working my nightshifts doing IT support. The business I work for is due to be sold next year (apparently), so we'll see what changes that brings. Mrs SD is due to leave her job at the school she's worked at for over a decade for reasons I'll cover, so that'll be a challenge.
Health: OK, I am very overweight and really need to tackle it, but my relationship with food is poor and complicated, and I don't know if I have the willpower to fix it. Doing a job where I work overnight and sit 12 hours at a desk, sedentary, really doesn't help either. Had a cancerous mole removed earlier in the year, and have another potential one which I'll need to keep an eye on. Wife and kids are OK healthwise.
Holidays: Had our usual week on the Scilly Isles - that's all.
Home: We bought our home, which is fantastic, but needs bits and pieces sorting. I'm hopeless at DIY, so I will need to get people in, money permitting. I've inherited my Mum's old house in North Wales, which is lovely but needs a lot of work to get it to where we'd like it to be.
Plans for 2026: The wife, my youngest and I are all set to relocate to North Wales to my Mum's old home, which we're in the process of sorting and arranging renovations - so that's massive really. I feel like this move (and the year generally) will either work amazingly well, or be a complete and utter disaster and I'll face hitting 40 a divorcee. I'm also suspicious of even-numbered years as something st/life-changing has happened in every single one going back to 2018. Two of these were self-inflicted due to me being a complete ahole, the other two being close family bereavements...so we'll see. I'd really like to see Sleep Token live, and also continue to indulge my favourite hobby of visiting heritage railways.
Family: Lost my Mum late last year quite suddenly, so spent much of the year coming to terms with that as she and I were close. Also lost my Uncle in March, although a shock, it was a blessing for him as his Alzheimer's had worsened such that he'd needed to be relocated to a nursing home on the mainland away from his beloved home on the Scilly Isles. Wife and I are OK, but having some significant ups and downs - think she's had enough of me, so will need to work hard on being a better husband/person. Step kids OK, youngest's been diagnosed with AuDHD, has been withdrawn from his college course and I seriously worry for his future. Eldest is OK, we think also probably AuDHD but undiagnosed, is struggling to find work as well as battling other mental health issues / being transgender. There's also been a big family split with my in-laws, which has been tricky to navigate as we're close with both sides.
Cars: Our VW Tiguan's thrown up some major issues this year, and we were on the verge of chopping it in via WBAC. However, we decided to spend many £ getting it sorted, and it's almost good as new (well, as good as a 14-year-old, 155k car can be). We treated ourselves to a brand-new Mazda CX-5 in the summer, which we both love (was going to be the replacement for the aforementioned Tiguan). We've had it since the very end of July, and it's already done over 7,000 miles.
Job: No change, happy working my nightshifts doing IT support. The business I work for is due to be sold next year (apparently), so we'll see what changes that brings. Mrs SD is due to leave her job at the school she's worked at for over a decade for reasons I'll cover, so that'll be a challenge.
Health: OK, I am very overweight and really need to tackle it, but my relationship with food is poor and complicated, and I don't know if I have the willpower to fix it. Doing a job where I work overnight and sit 12 hours at a desk, sedentary, really doesn't help either. Had a cancerous mole removed earlier in the year, and have another potential one which I'll need to keep an eye on. Wife and kids are OK healthwise.
Holidays: Had our usual week on the Scilly Isles - that's all.
Home: We bought our home, which is fantastic, but needs bits and pieces sorting. I'm hopeless at DIY, so I will need to get people in, money permitting. I've inherited my Mum's old house in North Wales, which is lovely but needs a lot of work to get it to where we'd like it to be.
Plans for 2026: The wife, my youngest and I are all set to relocate to North Wales to my Mum's old home, which we're in the process of sorting and arranging renovations - so that's massive really. I feel like this move (and the year generally) will either work amazingly well, or be a complete and utter disaster and I'll face hitting 40 a divorcee. I'm also suspicious of even-numbered years as something s
t/life-changing has happened in every single one going back to 2018. Two of these were self-inflicted due to me being a complete ahole, the other two being close family bereavements...so we'll see. I'd really like to see Sleep Token live, and also continue to indulge my favourite hobby of visiting heritage railways.Edited by ScuderiaDave1337 on Monday 29th December 04:51
Overall:
Very bad, without being dramatic one of the worst years of my (almost 45 years).
Family:
My eldest daughter spent 5 months in and out of hospital, with an eating disorder. She went from a healthy 55kg to 35kg in a couple of months and had to be force fed through a tube to keep her alive. She very nearly ended up in a long term mental health unit but by some miracle one day when I was sat with her in hospital, three days before her assessment for the mental health unit she decided she wanted to try eating again.
She’s sat next to me now at home back at near enough 55kg and she is loving food again and eating amazingly well.
I’m not afraid to say I thought she was going to die this year and I think part of me died too in the process.
She still has weekly counselling appointments and sees a dietician once a month to make sure she’s keeping on track.
Cars:
Daily is an F82 M4
Toy is an R53 Mini Cooper S, going away for a roll cage fitting next week.
Job:
Still the same but I have realised I will be able to retire in 8 years with luck so I’m very focused on that goal now.
Health:
Lost around 30kg in weight this year, I really focussed on trying to look after my health and it got me through the tough times.
Holidays:
A week in Cornwall in August after my daughter left hospital, was the family break we all needed and definitely kick started my daughters recovery in a big way, sitting on the beach with her eating Cornish pasties was so simple but almost brought me to tears after everything we had been through.
Had a few days in London in October
A week driving at Spa and the Nurburgring in November was the highlight of the year for me.
Home:
The house is the same but home life is good and very proud of my family.
Plans for 2026:
I would love to have a quiet year where nothing significant happens.
Trips to Northern France planned in the summer and two Ring trips booked so far.
Wishing a Happy New year to everyone else.
Very bad, without being dramatic one of the worst years of my (almost 45 years).
Family:
My eldest daughter spent 5 months in and out of hospital, with an eating disorder. She went from a healthy 55kg to 35kg in a couple of months and had to be force fed through a tube to keep her alive. She very nearly ended up in a long term mental health unit but by some miracle one day when I was sat with her in hospital, three days before her assessment for the mental health unit she decided she wanted to try eating again.
She’s sat next to me now at home back at near enough 55kg and she is loving food again and eating amazingly well.
I’m not afraid to say I thought she was going to die this year and I think part of me died too in the process.
She still has weekly counselling appointments and sees a dietician once a month to make sure she’s keeping on track.
Cars:
Daily is an F82 M4
Toy is an R53 Mini Cooper S, going away for a roll cage fitting next week.
Job:
Still the same but I have realised I will be able to retire in 8 years with luck so I’m very focused on that goal now.
Health:
Lost around 30kg in weight this year, I really focussed on trying to look after my health and it got me through the tough times.
Holidays:
A week in Cornwall in August after my daughter left hospital, was the family break we all needed and definitely kick started my daughters recovery in a big way, sitting on the beach with her eating Cornish pasties was so simple but almost brought me to tears after everything we had been through.
Had a few days in London in October
A week driving at Spa and the Nurburgring in November was the highlight of the year for me.
Home:
The house is the same but home life is good and very proud of my family.
Plans for 2026:
I would love to have a quiet year where nothing significant happens.
Trips to Northern France planned in the summer and two Ring trips booked so far.
Wishing a Happy New year to everyone else.
Jamescrs said:
Overall:
Very bad, without being dramatic one of the worst years of my (almost 45 years).
Family:
My eldest daughter spent 5 months in and out of hospital, with an eating disorder. She went from a healthy 55kg to 35kg in a couple of months and had to be force fed through a tube to keep her alive. She very nearly ended up in a long term mental health unit but by some miracle one day when I was sat with her in hospital, three days before her assessment for the mental health unit she decided she wanted to try eating again.
She s sat next to me now at home back at near enough 55kg and she is loving food again and eating amazingly well.
I m not afraid to say I thought she was going to die this year and I think part of me died too in the process.
She still has weekly counselling appointments and sees a dietician once a month to make sure she s keeping on track.
Cars:
Daily is an F82 M4
Toy is an R53 Mini Cooper S, going away for a roll cage fitting next week.
Job:
Still the same but I have realised I will be able to retire in 8 years with luck so I m very focused on that goal now.
Health:
Lost around 30kg in weight this year, I really focussed on trying to look after my health and it got me through the tough times.
Holidays:
A week in Cornwall in August after my daughter left hospital, was the family break we all needed and definitely kick started my daughters recovery in a big way, sitting on the beach with her eating Cornish pasties was so simple but almost brought me to tears after everything we had been through.
Had a few days in London in October
A week driving at Spa and the Nurburgring in November was the highlight of the year for me.
Home:
The house is the same but home life is good and very proud of my family.
Plans for 2026:
I would love to have a quiet year where nothing significant happens.
Trips to Northern France planned in the summer and two Ring trips booked so far.
Wishing a Happy New year to everyone else.
Hope it's a better year for you and your family in 2026 fella. Very bad, without being dramatic one of the worst years of my (almost 45 years).
Family:
My eldest daughter spent 5 months in and out of hospital, with an eating disorder. She went from a healthy 55kg to 35kg in a couple of months and had to be force fed through a tube to keep her alive. She very nearly ended up in a long term mental health unit but by some miracle one day when I was sat with her in hospital, three days before her assessment for the mental health unit she decided she wanted to try eating again.
She s sat next to me now at home back at near enough 55kg and she is loving food again and eating amazingly well.
I m not afraid to say I thought she was going to die this year and I think part of me died too in the process.
She still has weekly counselling appointments and sees a dietician once a month to make sure she s keeping on track.
Cars:
Daily is an F82 M4
Toy is an R53 Mini Cooper S, going away for a roll cage fitting next week.
Job:
Still the same but I have realised I will be able to retire in 8 years with luck so I m very focused on that goal now.
Health:
Lost around 30kg in weight this year, I really focussed on trying to look after my health and it got me through the tough times.
Holidays:
A week in Cornwall in August after my daughter left hospital, was the family break we all needed and definitely kick started my daughters recovery in a big way, sitting on the beach with her eating Cornish pasties was so simple but almost brought me to tears after everything we had been through.
Had a few days in London in October
A week driving at Spa and the Nurburgring in November was the highlight of the year for me.
Home:
The house is the same but home life is good and very proud of my family.
Plans for 2026:
I would love to have a quiet year where nothing significant happens.
Trips to Northern France planned in the summer and two Ring trips booked so far.
Wishing a Happy New year to everyone else.
Not done one of these before and hopefully it won't set me up for a fall next year:
Overall: pretty great to be honest
Family: both kids now at secondary school. Youngest has settled in really well and is doing great. Eldest has an enormous circle of friends and is doing great. No complaints apart from the VAT on school fees! Wife has stopped working for time being but seems to be busy as ever. So long as she doesn't have enough of me at some point it's looking good.
Cars: traded the GT4 for a 911.2 gt3 at end of 24. Sapphire Blue, optioned to the eyeballs, had done less than 9k miles when I bought it. Now at 12.5k! Never thought I'd get to own one, it's a keeper. Also had an ID7 tourer come on salary sacrifice, it's pretty good. Still got the mazda6 dog carrier. Would quite like to add a hot hatch but project mortgage repayment prohibits that. Also seen my one off V6 exige come up for sale. I would love to have it back but project mortgage repayment takes priority.
Job: I'm loving it if I'm honest. Just passed 2 years having spent the 11 years before that working for private equity. That turned me into a fking miserable ahole. Current job is in house in a property developer in a super exciting part of the market. I've got a team of 5, soon to be 6, competent and motivated people working on some really exciting projects.
Health: no complaints. Ran my first ever 10k on boxing day!
Holidays: West Coast Canada and Tenerife in 2025. Peak District, Woolacombe again and Lanzarote in 2026.
Home: been here 13 years now. 10 year fix is up in mid 27 and am all in on project mortgage repayment at maturity.
Plans for 2026: keep on trucking. Project mortgage repayment is on track. AI bubble worries me, as do all the angry old men with too much power and encroaching senility/syphilis
Overall: pretty great to be honest
Family: both kids now at secondary school. Youngest has settled in really well and is doing great. Eldest has an enormous circle of friends and is doing great. No complaints apart from the VAT on school fees! Wife has stopped working for time being but seems to be busy as ever. So long as she doesn't have enough of me at some point it's looking good.
Cars: traded the GT4 for a 911.2 gt3 at end of 24. Sapphire Blue, optioned to the eyeballs, had done less than 9k miles when I bought it. Now at 12.5k! Never thought I'd get to own one, it's a keeper. Also had an ID7 tourer come on salary sacrifice, it's pretty good. Still got the mazda6 dog carrier. Would quite like to add a hot hatch but project mortgage repayment prohibits that. Also seen my one off V6 exige come up for sale. I would love to have it back but project mortgage repayment takes priority.
Job: I'm loving it if I'm honest. Just passed 2 years having spent the 11 years before that working for private equity. That turned me into a f
king miserable ahole. Current job is in house in a property developer in a super exciting part of the market. I've got a team of 5, soon to be 6, competent and motivated people working on some really exciting projects. Health: no complaints. Ran my first ever 10k on boxing day!
Holidays: West Coast Canada and Tenerife in 2025. Peak District, Woolacombe again and Lanzarote in 2026.
Home: been here 13 years now. 10 year fix is up in mid 27 and am all in on project mortgage repayment at maturity.
Plans for 2026: keep on trucking. Project mortgage repayment is on track. AI bubble worries me, as do all the angry old men with too much power and encroaching senility/syphilis
Overall: Excellent year. 9 out of 10 . Honestly most of the last 10 years have been 8+
Family: All good. Wife is a lot happier now she has given up her job as a head teacher. Now she has a ‘portfolio’ career, underpinned by her pension, but she’s working part time in HR, zero hours contract in the village post office and 1-2 days a month as a literacy consultant. Makes nearly as much ad she used to, but about 40 % of the hours. Happy wife, happy life! Kids are enjoying Uni.
Cars: No change, paid them all off though. They keep me busy with lots of projects to do on them to keep them going. Enjoying that and saving money as well. Race car always needs something doing but I have a project to make it as user friendly as possible.
Job: interesting one this. I worked for smallish Software business in a project that was going to change the car parts world, however I started to suspect that this business was not going to be the one to change the world. So I looked for a new role elsewhere , and with what can only be described as miraculous timing was offered a job with a car company approximately 40 mins before being told my job was at risk. And had to contain my amusement at this turn of events whilst negotiating a payoff on the basis that ‘they’d made me redundant’. Started work 2 weeks after my last day with a nice fat check in the bank. It’ll never happen like that again. Very much enjoying new job and company.
Health: All good, but I am getting deafer by the day so purchased a hearing aid. It kind of works but isn’t the silver bullet I’d hoped it was. Also a touch fatter than I want to be, so joined a gym as my lunchtime runs were becoming a bit tick box.
Holidays: Grabbed a week on the Amalfi coast between jobs. Bit rushed so not amazing hotel or town. Some good bits to it though. Also had a couple of days helping on a friends farm in Dorset. Drove a tractor- this is a good thing
Home: no change, but mortgage will be paid off next year
Plans for 2026: Pay mortgage off, it will be interesting to see how this impacts my happiness but particularly my long term ability to put up with corporate bullst. I want to get to a point next year where for at least a day I have no debts - no mortgage/car loan, credit card debt, personal loan/student debt. Want to do a full season of car racing as I mainly just do part seasons. Also got plans with some ex racing mates to do the Nurburgring and Spa. Have a desire to do a track day at Kirkistown.
Otherwise I’ve booked a couple of concerts and have a desire for a driving holiday in Europe, maybe a trip to Aus but I think that’s unlikely.
Family: All good. Wife is a lot happier now she has given up her job as a head teacher. Now she has a ‘portfolio’ career, underpinned by her pension, but she’s working part time in HR, zero hours contract in the village post office and 1-2 days a month as a literacy consultant. Makes nearly as much ad she used to, but about 40 % of the hours. Happy wife, happy life! Kids are enjoying Uni.
Cars: No change, paid them all off though. They keep me busy with lots of projects to do on them to keep them going. Enjoying that and saving money as well. Race car always needs something doing but I have a project to make it as user friendly as possible.
Job: interesting one this. I worked for smallish Software business in a project that was going to change the car parts world, however I started to suspect that this business was not going to be the one to change the world. So I looked for a new role elsewhere , and with what can only be described as miraculous timing was offered a job with a car company approximately 40 mins before being told my job was at risk. And had to contain my amusement at this turn of events whilst negotiating a payoff on the basis that ‘they’d made me redundant’. Started work 2 weeks after my last day with a nice fat check in the bank. It’ll never happen like that again. Very much enjoying new job and company.
Health: All good, but I am getting deafer by the day so purchased a hearing aid. It kind of works but isn’t the silver bullet I’d hoped it was. Also a touch fatter than I want to be, so joined a gym as my lunchtime runs were becoming a bit tick box.
Holidays: Grabbed a week on the Amalfi coast between jobs. Bit rushed so not amazing hotel or town. Some good bits to it though. Also had a couple of days helping on a friends farm in Dorset. Drove a tractor- this is a good thing
Home: no change, but mortgage will be paid off next year
Plans for 2026: Pay mortgage off, it will be interesting to see how this impacts my happiness but particularly my long term ability to put up with corporate bulls
t. I want to get to a point next year where for at least a day I have no debts - no mortgage/car loan, credit card debt, personal loan/student debt. Want to do a full season of car racing as I mainly just do part seasons. Also got plans with some ex racing mates to do the Nurburgring and Spa. Have a desire to do a track day at Kirkistown.Otherwise I’ve booked a couple of concerts and have a desire for a driving holiday in Europe, maybe a trip to Aus but I think that’s unlikely.
Overall:
Steady and uneventful. Mostly good except for my house purchase dragging on a lot longer than it has any right to.
Family:
Mum's 82 and still going strong. Brother cruising along like an empty crisp packet on the breeze, as per usual. The OH isn't really my OH anymore but we get on well enough to cohabit while buying our own respective properties. We've agreed the first to buy will accommodate the other until they can move.
Cars:
Still hunting for the right F32 BMW 440i. Bought the OH's old E87 120d to run in the meantime after she bought an F20 118i as my beloved old E36 was too knackered by rust to economically maintain anymore.
Job:
Sacked off graphic design in 2022 after 28 years. Started retraining in IT. Now on a pathway to being a cloud engineer. Made some good headway in 2025 and hopefully be over the finish line in 2026. Great employer and colleagues. Very steep learning curve, especially for an old git!
Health:
Generally good. 51 and still wearing the same size jeans as I did in my late teens/early 20s. Few aches and pains but nothing out of the ordinary for my age. Enjoy my long walks and did plenty. Had tinitus in my left ear since February 2015. Hasn't got any worse and I don't notice it most of the time. Got my first reading glasses last year but can still read most tiny text without them if the light is good.
Holidays:
None. Saved all my holiday expecting to need it when I move house - see below!
Home:
Main focus of the year. Getting out of rented and buying my own place. Instructed my conveyancer in July 2025 but it's still dragging on. No good reason really, other than they seem to spend a lot of time sitting on their hands, making excuses and not giving a toss that every month it drags on is another month's rent pissed up the wall for me!
Plans for 2026:
Get the house purchase over the line. Buy the car I want. Cross the final hurdle in my new career. Establish a creative space in my new home and get my much neglected painting and music production hobbies up to speed again. Go to Cornwall (my favourite place in the world) and try to visit somewhere interesting abroad too. More walking. Get back into running, which I loved in my teens. Also find a way to get back the muscle I lost when the gym closed during covid and I filled the time with other things so never went back when it opened again.
Steady and uneventful. Mostly good except for my house purchase dragging on a lot longer than it has any right to.
Family:
Mum's 82 and still going strong. Brother cruising along like an empty crisp packet on the breeze, as per usual. The OH isn't really my OH anymore but we get on well enough to cohabit while buying our own respective properties. We've agreed the first to buy will accommodate the other until they can move.
Cars:
Still hunting for the right F32 BMW 440i. Bought the OH's old E87 120d to run in the meantime after she bought an F20 118i as my beloved old E36 was too knackered by rust to economically maintain anymore.
Job:
Sacked off graphic design in 2022 after 28 years. Started retraining in IT. Now on a pathway to being a cloud engineer. Made some good headway in 2025 and hopefully be over the finish line in 2026. Great employer and colleagues. Very steep learning curve, especially for an old git!
Health:
Generally good. 51 and still wearing the same size jeans as I did in my late teens/early 20s. Few aches and pains but nothing out of the ordinary for my age. Enjoy my long walks and did plenty. Had tinitus in my left ear since February 2015. Hasn't got any worse and I don't notice it most of the time. Got my first reading glasses last year but can still read most tiny text without them if the light is good.
Holidays:
None. Saved all my holiday expecting to need it when I move house - see below!
Home:
Main focus of the year. Getting out of rented and buying my own place. Instructed my conveyancer in July 2025 but it's still dragging on. No good reason really, other than they seem to spend a lot of time sitting on their hands, making excuses and not giving a toss that every month it drags on is another month's rent pissed up the wall for me!
Plans for 2026:
Get the house purchase over the line. Buy the car I want. Cross the final hurdle in my new career. Establish a creative space in my new home and get my much neglected painting and music production hobbies up to speed again. Go to Cornwall (my favourite place in the world) and try to visit somewhere interesting abroad too. More walking. Get back into running, which I loved in my teens. Also find a way to get back the muscle I lost when the gym closed during covid and I filled the time with other things so never went back when it opened again.
Life is always interesting...
Overall: Feel privilege, family healthy, no worries about money or job, and looking forwards to 2026.
Family: Everyone directly connected to me is healthy, cannot ask for more than that.
Cars: The Tesla will be 9 years old in 2026, the Lexus IS300H 11 years old, we will change one of them in 2026.
Job: Got a fast track 'Promotion'. Career pathways is about 3-5 years ahead of any planning I had. New role means more risk/work, thankful for colleagues/mentors, still cannot believe I get paid to do the work I do.
Health:Cannot complain, given up on chasing FTP targets as I head into middle age. Need to get my BP checked formerly as I'm almost certain I will need blood pressure tablets given it runs in the family.
Holidays: Road trip to Bordeaux was amazing, went on the first plane trip since COVID too, wouldn't be getting on another plane for few more years I don't think.
Home Finally got build regs sign-off on the house renovations, almost 6 years since we first had the architect come round. It's been an amazing experience seeing something drawn on paper come to life, and now finally officially 'legal'.
Plans for 2026: Taking full advantage of the opportunities are work is the key aim. Sounds childish but I've always linked car purchases as an 'reward' for hitting career targets, so getting a new set of wheels in 2026 will only happen if I hit deliverables at work I've set myself.
Overall: Feel privilege, family healthy, no worries about money or job, and looking forwards to 2026.
Family: Everyone directly connected to me is healthy, cannot ask for more than that.
Cars: The Tesla will be 9 years old in 2026, the Lexus IS300H 11 years old, we will change one of them in 2026.
Job: Got a fast track 'Promotion'. Career pathways is about 3-5 years ahead of any planning I had. New role means more risk/work, thankful for colleagues/mentors, still cannot believe I get paid to do the work I do.
Health:Cannot complain, given up on chasing FTP targets as I head into middle age. Need to get my BP checked formerly as I'm almost certain I will need blood pressure tablets given it runs in the family.
Holidays: Road trip to Bordeaux was amazing, went on the first plane trip since COVID too, wouldn't be getting on another plane for few more years I don't think.
Home Finally got build regs sign-off on the house renovations, almost 6 years since we first had the architect come round. It's been an amazing experience seeing something drawn on paper come to life, and now finally officially 'legal'.
Plans for 2026: Taking full advantage of the opportunities are work is the key aim. Sounds childish but I've always linked car purchases as an 'reward' for hitting career targets, so getting a new set of wheels in 2026 will only happen if I hit deliverables at work I've set myself.
Edited by gangzoom on Monday 29th December 14:49
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