Lately, I’ve been immersed in various music solo artists and group documentaries and endless online clips, uncovering striking parallels – patterns that repeat, stories that echo across time. You can sense it – the shifts in energy, the changes in what’s captured, and most of all, in their eyes.

Music has always been a big part of my life, but never more so than in the last few months. Maybe one day, I’ll fully explain everything that has unfolded. Like many from my generation, every Sunday at 3 PM, BBC Radio One was the soundtrack of the afternoon. Fingers hovering over the record/pause buttons, timing it just right to cut out the DJ’s voice, carefully crafting a mixtape of our favourite songs. Then came the ritual – writing up the week’s chart by hand, cross-checking later on TeleText (now I’m really showing my age!). We’d wait eagerly to see where our heroes landed in the UK Top 40, hoping for that elusive No.1 spot.

Fast forward a few years, and I found myself working on the rebrand of The Official Charts Company‘s website – a far more progressive, feature-rich platform than its predecessor. The experience of designing and building it was unforgettable.

I’ve faced, and continue to face, challenges with my mental health. Anxiety, depression – however you want to define it. Over the years, I’ve ridden the highs and endured the lows. But only now have I taken a real step back, peeling back the layers of what I’ve unknowingly suppressed. Each of us navigates emotions differently, and in sharing my experiences publicly, I’ve realised something powerful: I am not alone. We are not alone. We are never alone.

I may not have the influence to create massive change, but I can contribute – I can support the fan bases, the grassroots, the communities that matter.

My goal? If I can impact just one person, I’ll take that. If I can reach more, my heart will feel fuller. A smile, a laugh, a virtual hug, a shift in mindset – sometimes, one small step is all it takes.

Let’s move forward together, creating a butterfly effect that ripples far beyond what we can see. Let’s appreciate life in the moment. Share joy, not hate. Be kind.