My 2026 OSCAR Wellness Plan

My plan for 2026 can be distilled into two words that would likely baffle my younger, more frantic self, ‘Patience and Presence’. 

Instead of charging at the year like a rhinoceros, I’ve decided to OSCAR (self-coach) my way into 2026. It’s far more civilized and involves significantly less sweat-induced vertigo.

My desired Outcome (O): 

- Vibrant at 52! Simple!

At the ripe and ready age of fifty-two, I’ve decided I don’t want to feel younger, I want to feel more vibrant than I did yesterday. I am seeking that elusive trio, sustained energy, movement that doesn't feel like a court-ordered punishment, and sleep so restorative it borders on the miraculous. I want to be strong enough to embrace life’s opportunities without needing a lie-down immediately afterward.

The Situation (S): 

- Starting from Strength!

The current state of affairs is, dare I say, promising. I possess a certain rugged discipline and a spirit that refuses to stay in its seat. I am starting from a position of power, not a deficit. The goal now is to stop trying to compete with the version of myself from a decade ago, who, frankly, was a bit of an overachiever, and instead honour the magnificent human I am today. (Because…facts: My joints now have their own opinions, and it’s time to listen to them.)

The Choices & Consequences (C):

- The 80% Rule!

I am choosing consistency over the frantic, red-faced intensity of my youth. This year, my integrity is tied to grace.

The Plan? I shall be kind to my joints, feed my joy, and protect my mind like Daenerys Targaryen guarding dragons. 

The Vow? No more quick-fixes, no more no pain-no gain lunacy, and no more punishing regimens (aka: interventions or work schedules) that leave me feeling like a clockwork soldier.

The Consequence? By choosing patience, the cost of a missed day is a mere trifle. However, the cost of burnout is far too high for my budget. Even with my ADHD trying to convince me to do everything at once, I will stick to the ritual. Kindness is the only fuel that won’t lead to an engine fire.

The Actions (A): 

- A daily rhythm that isn’t a military drill.

Every day will begin with gratitude and gentle mobility work (essentially, reminding my limbs they are indeed attached to my body).

Mindful movement 4–5 days of whatever feels right. A walk, a gym session, or stretching that looks suspiciously like a nap!

A great hydration quest is truly my only non-negotiable. I must drink more water! Oh and protein. I shall treat food as fuel and savour every bite like a zen master. Treats are not failures, they are essential components of a balanced life. A biscuit eaten in peace is better for the soul than a kale salad eaten in resentment. It’s taken me 52 years to realise this!

The Review (R): 

- A Monthly Check-In.

Once a month, I shall convene a private meeting with myself. No judging, no pointing fingers, just a quiet observation: “Am I honoring my energy? Am I present? Am I being patient?” I may adjust the map if I find I’ve wandered into a metaphorical swamp, but the destination (outcome) remains the same.

My 2026 wellness journey is not a race to a finish line, it is going to be a beautiful dance. I am trusting myself!

Star Studded

For thousands of years, us humans have been drawn to the night sky. Not just for its beauty, though it is quite something, isn't it? But for the stories and the deep sense of connection it brings to our lives. 

And at this time of year, that connection feels just a little more like home.

Think back to those renowned three weary travellers (aka: the Wise Men). Long before Google Maps or GPS, they looked up and saw a specific, brilliant light. They didn't just see a star, they saw a promise and trusted that the stars would lead them exactly where they needed to be.

But the night sky is more than just a map, it’s a global, cultural storybook. Just as wise men brought their gifts, every corner of the world has woven its own legends into the stars! The Greeks saw heroes, the Chinese saw lovers separated by the Milky Way and the San people of South Africa saw their ancestors. These myths connect us importantly to our past and to each other, sparking a wonder that has ignited rituals and celebrations for generations.

There is something truly warm and fuzzy about stepping outside on a clear Christmas night, tilting your head back, and letting your eyes wander across that velvet tapestry. Stars remind us that even in the darkest night, there is a spark waiting to be found.

Perhaps the most uplifting truth and the real gift of stars, is their power to unite us. No matter our differences or where we are spending our holidays, we all share the same sense of wonder. We are all, in our own way, following a star. The night sky reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and deeply connected to every human who has ever gazed upward in hope.

So, step outside, take a slow, deep breath, let your eyes adjust and your thoughts drift among the constellations. Somewhere out there, the same stars that guided the travellers of old are shining just for you!

Advent-ing

Ah, that glorious cardboard box of daily delights and the delayed gratification of counting down to the most wonderful time of the year! So good, are the advent calendar offerings that my husband and I have two each!! But how we each handle that little flap of paper … whoaaaa so so so very very different! 

Could it be, that the way each of us treats our Advent calendar door speaks volumes about our very soul? Let's see, just for seasonal fun!

Are you a door closer? My husband, is a door closer! Yup, a true zen master! Think, Marie Kondo of festive cardboard. As soon as that chocolate has been extracted, he carefully, nay, meticulously, closes back the little door. Here’s what I think it says?

Door closers. I think you’re optimists who believe in a world where things stay neat and orderly. Are you a bit of a time traveller too. Why? Well perhaps, closing the door is about resetting the past. Yup, preserving the illusion that the calendar is still pristine. Or perhaps you see the calendar as a whole work of art, not just a series of individual daily triumphs. Or maybe you simply want that festive scene to remain unmarred by gaping holes!

Door Opener? Likely a pragmatic progress tracker? Since you need to ‘see’ your progress! Is it a silent testament to another day conquered. Maybe you're likely a visual learner who needs to see your countdown with the growing collection of open doors providing your personal festive odometer, clearly stating, "Look! Only X days left!" You're likely efficient, I mean why bother closing it? It's just going to be opened again right! You’re embracing the chaos of flapping doors, it's a visual diary of your progress. Go you!

And then there is me. I’m a door ripper off-er. Yes! Like a mono-focused T-Rex or force of nature! We don't just open the door, we conquer it. With a satisfying RIIIIIP, that little cardboard flap is liberated from its hinges, never to bother us again. It's decisive. It's final. It's a statement. When something is done, it is done! No lingering flaps, no ambiguous open-or-closed states. Do you require a clean break, a definitive end to each daily ritual. For me, there's maybe even a primal satisfaction in that rip, as a small, daily act of rebellion, a delightful moment of controlled destruction. Or another version of truth may be that we are just a little bit impulsive (in the best way of course). Or perhaps you’re a minimalist (sort of), I mean, why have an unnecessary flap of cardboard hanging around? Rip it off, clear the space, move on. There's no ambiguity here!

No matter your method, embrace your inner Advent Calendar Door persona. It's just another delightful quirk that makes you, you, and this season extra special. 

I Met a Billionaire

Usually, when you read stories about meeting billionaires, the setting is predictable. My experience was...let's say...different, I didn’t meet this billionaire while shaking hands over an organised mixer. I met him while wiping sweat off my forehead in a local soca-dancehall bar.

The bass was rattling and the air was thick with humidity. And right there, in the middle of a most unlikely bar as I was singing along to Machel Montano at the top of my lungs, was a man whose net worth is higher than the GDP of some small countries. Here is what I learned shouting over 160 beats per minute. 

Music is the great equalizer!

This billionaire was down in the crowd. He was holding a sweating bottle of beer, island shirt, shorts, flip-flops just like everyone else. The lesson? 

True confidence doesn't need a velvet rope. 

After almost 18 years the reclusive enigma that surrounds this particular billionaire in the Cayman Islands has been broken! Apparently, he wanted to meet my husband and I, so of course we leaned in and after we'd all introduced ourselves I had to ask him, what bought him to this particular bar…. 

As a billionaire there must be a lot of isolation, right. It often seems this is the cost of success, no? However, perhaps the smartest people know when to reject that isolation, sometimes you just need to be part of the tribe.

While others in the bar where oblivious of the billionaire in their local bar I watched him enter and move for a bit (before being introduced) and I noticed this, that he wasn’t checking emails, scrolling a phone or looking bored. He was fully present, fully immersed. I really have to say, that I like this attitude!

I mean he can buy the building, buy the DJ, buy out the bar even. But you cannot buy the vybz, you have to find them and no matter your bank account. Money can buy comfort and luxury, but it cannot manufacture joy. The raw, unfiltered happiness of a great crowd, a soca-dancehall party, the unity, the 'oneness' of the crowd is something that has to be experienced, not purchased.

The bottom line? We spend so much time chasing the idea of a "billionaire lifestyle"…the cars, the clothes, first class, the exclusivity. But when I finally met one, he was chasing the exact same thing I was, a good rhythm, a cold drink, and a place full of happy people.

I won’t name the billionaire but if you live in the Cayman Islands and you're reading this, you probably guessed who the billionaire and international man of mystery is!