At the weekend, one of my improv students (thanks Penny) pointed out that she’d seen my website and wanted to ask me about Ken Campbell… my response was “I HAVE A WEBSITE?!!!”. I made a mental note to update the site! So here I am. I last posted in 2019. And we all know a lot has happened since then: my son started secondary (ouch), I cleaned all the cupboards in my house, I didn’t go to Greece 3 times, I took up guitar and I upgraded my computer’s OS (which BTW the only difference I can see is that the ‘trash’ is now called the ‘bin’ and I can download Final Draft 12 which Sue, my writing partner will be pleased about).

Let me take a moment to spread some joy. My husband (also an actor) is away at the RSC performing in A Christmas Carol. It is at the same time, very traditional and also refreshingly fresh. With Ade Edmondson as Scrooge, gorgeous dancing and music, inclusive casting and the new addition of the character of Dickens (who is trying to write the play), it’s very lovely. But also we’d like him home to be cosy and to feel better about the general ‘END OF DAYS’ vibes.

OK it’s hard to stay positive isn’t it?! When I’m teaching improv I’m forever saying “start positive”, “make positive choices”, “how about liking each other?” – but it’s so easy to spiral. I think it’s that ‘negative’ feels like you know what’s happening, you’re in control and have made a definite bold choice. Why don’t we see love and kindness as bold eh? WHY WHY?! It seems to be the message in ALL the Christmas adverts airing this week. BE KIND. I love when this is thrown on a thread aggressively on Twitter or on a t-shirt. FFS BE KIND YOU IDIOT.

Feeling very hibernatory these past weeks, so I’ve initiated a 1-person show group. A peer review group, aimed at people in Folkestone who want to write a solo show and need a sounding board, inspiration, someone to be accountable to. First meeting is today. It may just be me. But that would also be ok. I like the idea of setting up a group and going to a cafe and it being just me sometimes. I HOLD YOU TO ACCOUNT LUCY!

The title of this post is juggling, as any parent solo caretaking will know, you constantly feel like you’ve forgotten something, like you’re lacking the ‘100% all in’ vibe and that at any moment someone might pull your pin and you’ll explode. At other times it feels like I’m riding the wave brilliantly. To even get to a job sometimes the level of childcare, providing for babysitter, packing of bags etc is immense.

Speaking of WAVES, I took up sea swimming in lockdown, like a total cliche! This will be my 3rd winter swimming. It’s a reset. I love it. When I don’t know what’s up, I get in the sea and I’m back to square 1. The healing powers of the sea. The strength and power of the sea. I’ve never been more scared of it. I’ve never respected it more. I also love that I have a whole bunch of pals now from many different walks of life, sometimes with different political and religious views. It’s enriching.

OK byeeee. SEA you in 3 years…