Ruby Grimshaw hails the return of her routine

The new year is well and truly under way. With a birthday on 23 December, closely followed by Christmas and then New Year, the passing of yet another 12 months for me is always much too heavily underlined. How can one pin them down and make them go just a bit slower? It scares me a little more every time.

Still, I am such a lover of habit and routine that I am always pleased when things return to normal. This is rather sad I realise, but I like knowing exactly when the bin men (sorry – waste disposal operatives ) are coming again and when the post is likely to arrive. I am so pleased when I can stuff all the tacky tinsel and fading fairies back into the drawer in the divan bed, and pack up all the cards – birthday ones as well – and shove them into the M and S recycling sack. I asked a young assistant one year what actually happens to all these beautiful pictures and glossy calendars. Are they sent to crèches or Africa maybe? (Well, it’s not such a daft idea. I took a load out to Kenya one year and they were overjoyed at receiving them.)

“The poor girl looked blank and then so terrified that I did not pursue the question any further”

I read somewhere that the Brits are the world’s most enthusiastic card senders. Apparently we use any excuse to send a greetings card – divorce, adoption, a new kitchen, coming out of clink. I suppose there are worse things to excel at. Actually I have a naughty admission to make. I did not put up any decorations at all this year, but before everyone starts shouting “scrooge!” and “skinflint!” I must explain that my decorator who was painting the spare bedroom and the workmen, who were damp proofing half of my sitting room, did not leave until nearly Christmas Eve. I had been cleaning up dust for days and did not feel festive enough for paper chains.

However, I can definitely state that the room in the roof which was added last year has been a great success. And I am so glad I stood by my opinion and did not include an extra bathroom. The new large room is beautifully bright and airy and just right for meditation and yoga. If the meditation doesn’t work I can always open a velux and surprise the seagulls by shouting at them on their level.