I’ve been thinking about what to do with two long-standing communication habits I let drift for different reasons in 2025.
The first one is blogging, specifically this blog after a year in which I’ve published very little on here.
I was a civil servant when I set this blog up in 2010. I used to write very often about what I was doing and thinking. It gradually grew a following without getting into trouble with my employer.
Four jobs later, I lead a small very busy PR agency with around 20 clients on its books. We did a hell of a lot last year. At times it felt like I barely had time to draw breath, let alone write here. This infographic from the team sets out some of our achievements in 2025.
To blog or not to blog?
Distinctive Communications has its own online channels which need regularly feeding – including its own blog and a growing monthly newsletter on Substack.
Given this, and the time constraints, is it worthwhile or even possible to kick start this blog again?
Having thought about it over Christmas, I am going to kick start this blog, work on the format give it a fresh purpose. I intend to use it as a space to write on things I’m thinking about and have learned communications, leadership and life.
Stepping off X – the long goodbye
The other thing I’ve been thinking about over recent months is the channel formerly known as Twitter.
I joined the social media platform in 2009 and used it avidly, and then reluctantly, until a couple of years ago.
As a lover of football, I would enjoy Twitter on weekends like the one we’ve just had. Yesterday, on FA Cup third round weekend, we witnessed the biggest shock in the grand old competition’s history.
Sixth tier Macclesfield FC outplayed holders Crystal Palace and dumped them out of the competition. Cue shots of fans celebrating on the pitch, with legends created and Macclesfield’s name up in lights. It’s a moment to treasure amongst many occasions scattered across the weekend.
Until recently, Twitter was the place to capture the reaction in real time, and all its rawness. Instead, logging in yesterday, this comment from its owner was the first thing I saw.
“Why is the UK government so fascist?” he asks, days after ministers expressed their disgust at the news that his AI tool Grok is undressing women and girls without their consent.
Ofcom says it’s urgently considering what to do next (although urgently doing something would be better). And this – predictably – is how Musk responds.
It’s widely accepted that Musk has turned Twitter into a cesspit, culling moderation teams so dramatically that it no longer feels like a space for genuine discussion.
Until recently, I’d been uncomfortable about stopping completely and surrendering the very small space I have on there to others who have a different view.
But on relfection I came to this point later than I should have. So I’ve put a holding line on my profile with links to other spots where I’m more active.
With revenue plummeting on X as advertisers get spooked at the prospect of seeing their content appear alongside something off-brand, I wonder how long it will be before public bodies, politicians and media outlets pull out too. Others suggest they should, but I can understand why they’d want to tread carefully.
Here’s where I’ll be posting most often in 2026. I look forward to connecting with you. And here’s hoping the year is everything you wish it to be.
Photo in header is by Matt Taylor on Unsplash.