Back in Malmö, where the weather mirrors Göteborg’s dreary gray, as if conspiring to keep the sun and smiles permanently at bay. This corner of Europe seems cursed with an inordinate share of clouds, rain, and fog – a dull, meteorological monotony that feels less like nature’s whim and more of a psychological assault.

I’ve yet to dive into the climatological explanation, which I am certain there is, so when I say I don’t understand, I mean less the science and more the injustice of the many weeks of sunless days. Acceptance, even now, remains elusive. Yet, I suppose there should be room for gratitude – this winter has been mild so far and the storms here by the sea have been manageably few. That is apparently going to change next week when colder weather arrives here in southern Scandinavia.

I’ve never been much for forecasts. The element of surprise – the raw immediacy of experiencing life, including weather, unmediated by prophecies – seems far more appealing to me than hedging on predictions and probabilities.

After days of indulgence – the typically rich Swedish Christmas foods and the decadent excess from two hotel breakfast buffets – it’s a relief to return to something leaner, something simpler. Yesterday, I put together the bowl you see above: black rice, cauliflower, soybeans, sweet corn, salsa, guacamole, raw tuna with wasabi mayo, and garlic-fried cashews – a balance of flavors, textures and colors – and a quiet act of restoration.

Now, I find myself contemplating the year ahead, shaping an approach to health and revival. The autumn was a trial – the discomfort from a herniated disc, relentless pain from sciatica, and the cascade of medications (and tequila) required to endure the elongated healing process. Recovery was if nothing else, humbling, but it also taught me this: my body is owed an extensive detox, a return to equilibrium. A fresh start is no longer just an aspiration – it’s a necessity. So if I paradoxically do make a prediction for 2025, it’s going to be a healthier and more productive year.