We’re just getting started.

The holidays have come and gone and by now most of us are back in the swing of things; Work things, school things, life things.

Did anyone else feel a strain near the end of the year? A final last push just to make it to December. When the festive season rolled around it was like a palpable egg-breaking, thirst-quenching release of tension.

And then January arrived with a vengeance, leaving us all asking, “What kak is this?”

• We had the usual Back-to-School scramble with parents all over social media decrying the “stationery” lists received from schools containing things like dishwashing liquid, milk, tea, etc. 
• The long-awaited Gaza ceasefire.
• Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of The United States a few days later.
• The Expropriation Bill was signed into law.
• NERSA finally decided on a 12.74% Eskom tariff hike (at least it’s not the 36% we were initially threatened with?)
• And to top it all off, a parting gift from everyone’s least favourite month; A return to load shedding. Buh-Bam! Straight to Stage 3 no less. 

And just a few days into February we already have:

• Trump.
• SONA – More definitive than its predecessors in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
• Surprisingly load shedding has been suspended but we’ll see how long that lasts.
• Summer, trying to give up and call it a day in February. 

Kuningi and it just kept getting kuningier.

Was the start of the year always this busy?

We’re already tired. Even our demons are tired.

Despite all this there is a feeling of positivity in the air. 

After last year’s election and the sentiment of citizens reflecting in their votes and consequently in government, it feels as though people are realising that they have the power to make a change. 

It sounds a little corny, we know, but perhaps it was needed; A big reminder that we have the verve to make those small changes necessary to improve our daily lives.

In 2025, please remember the following:

There are four months in the year that do not include any public holidays: February, July, October and November. Plan your leave wisely.

Get all agreements of any kind in black and white. 

Be nice to your useless colleagues – you never know when they may become useful.

Deep breaths. 

PSA:

The H Word’s social media will be looking a little nostalgic over the next few months as we repost some of our older content while we focus on the development of new products. This also means no sales and no restocks so get your venting mugs while they’re still available!

• The H Word