I made two changes recently which I think are pretty interesting. First, I started wearing a wig I got from an online party supplier. Red hair, like the tufts that poke out from under a leprechaun's hat you might see on Paddy's Day. It's been a revelation. Since I started doing this I can park where I like because people make assumptions about me.

Alright, I haven't done that. No wig or irresponsible parking. I just wanted to open with something bold. The truth is more prosaic. I'm now baking my own bread. You see, you'd be away scrolling if I'd opened without the wig business. Well, I just got sick of the bread I can find locally. Floppy, insipid, flavourless and expensive. A lousy start to the day. Bread is just flour, yeast, salt and water. It's not difficult to make but it's temperamental. Like other people’s children. It'll sulk if you don't spoil it. The water must be warm but not hot. The yeast must never meet the salt face to face, or they'll fight. The dough won't rise if it hears arguing. There may be other reasons but that seems to be the case in my house.

Bread is kneedy. Ha!

So every 3 days I make a loaf. I find it pleasing. It's taught me to be patient. The longer you wait for the dough to prove, the better the bread tastes. The place smells amazing when it's in the oven and then you have the tension involved when you take it out to discover if you made a delicious loaf or a chubby biscuit. Second, I now write Daily Pages. This is an exercise developed by Julia Cameron from her book The Artist Way - although it's good for people with no artistic skills at all - that's how Julia sold 1m copies. It works like this. After you've brushed your teeth in the morning sit down and write 3 pages, straight through, no stopping, no interruptions. Because you've just woken up there's less of a brain dump then writing before bed and there's less cursing in it. That was my first discovery. In fact, it becomes a very positive start to the day. Although it has to be said, for the first month I found it arduous. I just couldn't figure out why people found it so useful. Month two and I'm starting to understand what I can do with it. I've noticed that because you can't stop writing - that's the rule - you slip from obvious things, to nonsense and on to something of value. That's why it's 3 pages not 2 or 4. It gives you space to evolve.

I like these new habits. I can see that although they seem like small things, in reality the ripples extend through the day. I'm not cured of being me, just more at peace with my own absurdity.

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