As we step into January, full of hope that, hell yes, we will shed the excess this year, and I’m not talking our other halves; we will smash those robust resolutions, in my case, to walk briskly to the shops for coffee, minus the croissant, we’re inspired to effect change in our lives. For me, staying in sloth-mode, lurking behind my laptop, is not on. I want book sales in abundance, and I want to build on last year’s successes. And so, I find myself in reflective mode for my first Sussex Exclusive column of the new year. Permit me, if you will, to pick out last year’s best bits as your devoted columnist. I’ve broken my bits into short paragraphs so you can skip merrily to the end, picking the odd standout sentences along the way, or rather, as I pray, you’ll absorb every word of every paragraph, make notes, then write to me sharing your fulsome feedback.
Dee the domestic slattern
It was with a bursting heart, full of gratitude that in the closing quarter of ’25, I finally succumbed to the supermarket luxury dining deal for £15. I know these are for two people, but you’ve not seen how much Mr B eats. I don’t know where he puts it, as he’s as infuriatingly trim as the day when our eyes locked in the life insurance department at Sun Alliance. The dining deal experiment has worked so well that twice a week, I open the oven, chuck it in and then return to laptop duties. Other days I attend to huge quantities of vegetables, peeling and prepping in front of the news. Miraculously, all fingers are intact and the hypnotic effect of watching TV whilst prepping our five a day has led to a veritable slew of clumsily prepared veg.
Dee the fit and flexible femme
Veronique, my wellness coach, entered my life in November, just when I was considering cultivating my connection with all things sweet and sugary. Thanks to her patience and praise, the scales began to signal that I could fit into my newly purchased Joe Brown’s jacket without fear of buttons popping off and assaulting an innocent guest on the front row at my book launch. After a festive spell spent reconnecting with calories and cake, I have bounced into the new year, with Veronique close by, encouraging me to embrace my 5 a day like a good ‘un. I can also report that as far as glugging water goes, I am showing up for duty every day, glugging like a good ‘un.
Dee the suction siren
If you read my regular column, you’ll be familiar with the new vacuum cleaner I bought last year. Granted you need triceps and biceps to push it but, I can report that it continues to cause shrieks of delight at every twist and turn. My floors have never been so spotless. With suction so startling, nothing is off limits, although the piece of raw sweet potato it sucked up on the lounge rug, last week did cause momentary splutters.
Dee the author
Not one to do things by halves, last year I wrote two books. One was a short story book, The Boutique, which nudged into the bestsellers on the day it launched – only for Amazon to declare within hours it was out of stock and unlikely to be back in stock for err, six months. Never has my mood risen and fallen so sharply in a matter of minutes. Thankfully, the ladies of the WI decided they liked me enough to approve me as a speaker. I am happy to report that the bookings are showing no signs of slowing down and neither do I. In November, I launched my fifth marketing book. You’re the Best! about personal branding. How is it faring? All the signs are positive, it hit the top spot in 6 categories when it launched, so fingers crossed. Rush to the bio below, please where a dainty link to said book awaits.
Dee the columnist
Last year, Lucy Pitts, the editor of this remarkable brand, which champions all things Sussex, offered me this column. We got along so well that a few months ago, I became the Commissioning Editor of the new business pages. My dad was fond of saying, ‘Our Dee always has to have the last word.’ Turns out he was right! Spaces are most definitely to be watched and savoured.
Dee the Granny
My lookback over 2025 would not be complete without mentioning Teddy, my first grandson. He turned four this year and suddenly Granny was good fun, giving into pester power when asked with puppy dog eyes, ‘Please can I have this Granny?’ One festive trip to Newbridge nurseries and we returned with a large golden bell, a nutcracker soldier, and a large tray of flapjack. I must also mention Teddy and Mr B, aka Grandad. Now hubby will never, and I mean, ever dance at a party – unless he’s had sufficient beer to be unaware of the fact that, sadly, yes, he really does have two left feet. However, if you noticed a trim and I must say, handsome man, dancing with a toddler in the Carfax a few weeks ago, not a fellow reveller in sight, it was Mr B and Teddy, not a drop of alcohol in sight. A few months ago, grandson number two, Callum, came into our lives. We are smitten. Doubly so.
I look forward to sharing more with you this year!
About Dee Blick FCIM
Dee has just written her fifth marketing book, which debuted at No 1 in six categories on Amazon. With You’re the Best! How to Build an Authentic and Magnetic Personal Brand, Dee shows you step by step how you can move from The Seeker to The Sought After. Chapters include Why being authentic is the ace up your sleeve, building your business brand alongside your personal brand, overcoming fear of failure, how to create a powerful brand plan and how to secure content that underpins your influence and expertise. Dee shares many examples of her award-winning templates in her usual conversational style. You can buy Dee’s book on Amazon and contact her at dee@themarketinggym.org
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