In December I was sad³. First of all, with high functioning anxiety and depression there’s always some omnipresent sadness. Most days it’s volume will be minimal to low chatter, background noise that can be filtered out and therefore causing little disruption to proceedings. Sometimes it’s at more of a talking volume and it’s more of a battle to crack on, having to keep nasty thoughts and feelings at bay. On occasion those voices seem to acquire a megaphone, barking horrific thoughts of self-pity and loathing. Unfortunately it was the later that took up residence in December. Secondly, I was experiencing SAD. It’s something I’ve always struggled with, the scarce amount of daylight and the long day nights make me feel trapped and vulnerable. Although I am not a delicate flower, I am more like a graceful oak both figuratively and literally, I wilt in Winter. Finally, I was also sad for Reasons. Whilst I started to make some headway towards the end of the month, suffice to say – December was a bit of a write-off for me.

However, I am Charlotte [insert expletive] Harrison, I may be down but I will never be out. I just need a plan and a purpose and access to a pen and paper. And thus I started to shape up Project 52.

In 2019 I gave up writing New Year’s Resolutions in favour of The Dare List. Having decided that most resolutions were either too nebulous and impossible to quantify, or involved giving up things (the world is shit enough without me giving up any goodies), TDL was a strong alternative. A list of 20 things I wanted to do that scared me. The important thing was they weren’t 20 things that would scare everyone, some of the things might appear to be small or insignificant – like going to Madame Tussauds (I *loathe* mannequins and am utterly terrified of them) – or bigger – I wrote a poem and performed it in public – but they were things that would make me feel powerful and less frightened of the world. The challenges didn’t necessarily revolutionise my life, but they did impact it. I had my first ever manicure thanks to my friends Fati & Laura. I now get my nails done every month and love it, it’s become a huge part of my self-care routine as well as a form of self-expression.

I thought I’d take a year off in 2020 – which proved rather fortuitous… In the proceeding years, I’ve trialled other lists and challenges. In 2023 I gave up dating apps and refereed to it as #AppFree23. In 2024 I tried to say yes to more things, which resulted in taking up running and joining a choir – two hobbies I can’t imagine having in my life now.

Returning back to December 2024, when I was feeling like a sad cube, I decided I needed to embrace that energy again and do something bigger than ever. Something that blended the themes of the lists and approaches from previous years, whilst also being monumental. I needed to find joy again. And few things bring as much joy as adventures. So, why not do 52 of them?

And thus Project 52 has been born. This year I will be undertaking 52 adventures. I’m aiming for roughly one a week but this is not a firm rule. Another non-rule is the definition of the word ‘adventure’. I am throwing the dictionary out of the window in favour of personal interpretation. My life experiences, or where applicable the lack therefore of them, shall guide what adventure means or looks like. Whilst there will be some high octane ones (I’d love to do a skydive, and I’m eyeing up several zip wires and a bungee jump) there’ll be some lower key fun ones (I’ve already booked in line dancing and a music video dance class), some practical ones (I don’t know how to swim or drive, this feels a great time to give both things a try) and some personal ones (I’ve booked in a return to fencing, after 12 years away, and undoubtedly there’ll be some mishaps involving dating events because I am clearly a glutton for punishment). I’m also plotting some overseas shenanigans too.

However, while Project 52 was initially founded because I wanted to make myself feel better, I don’t want it to a be a solo journey. I’d love for this scheme to involve other people to. My dream is for people to message things they’ve always wanted to try and we do it together. I’ve been empowered by my various Dare Lists, they’ve unintentionally made me feel bigger & bolder & braver – I’d love to help as many other people as possible experience that too. So please do message with ideas of classes or experiences, things you’ve always wanted to see and do, and we’ll get plotting.

‘Life is short and the world is wide. I want to make some memories.’ – Donna Sheridan, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.