So, this is it.

The moment where I have to make some sort of impression to encourage you to read beyond the first line has finally arrived. It feels ever so slightly like a first date, only without my habitual glass of Pinot Noir.

Maybe that would have been a good place to start.

Most people would probably say that a little Dutch courage is no bad thing when tapping out your innermost thoughts. I’ve met many a woman who swears by a glass o’ rouge before tackling their annual Christmas card list. This feels only marginally less momentous.

For those of you who have meandered already to the ‘About Me’ section, you’ll know that Modernish is the product of various people suggesting that if I’m ever going to fulfil my ambition to write, then I should begin with a blog.

I’m not entirely sure exactly what was stopping me, but I certainly had reservations. I think tangled up in a ball of ‘what ifs’ the largest knot that needed to be unravelled was ‘why should anybody listen to me?’ Next to it was an equally large twist of ‘what have I got to say that’s worthy of someone else’s time?’

Needless to say, I haven’t been able to answer either, which is perhaps why I’ve waited until now to take the plunge. Better late than never.

Many months ago, I started reading all sorts of articles attempting to give amateurs like me an insight into what makes a good blog. Almost unanimously, they said it was important to find your niche.

Characteristically, to the frustration of almost every teacher I’ve ever known, I may have ever so slightly disregarded this advice and have gone for something that is both broad and nebulous in equal measure.

Put simply, ‘modernish life’.

The ‘ish’ element has its merits though, I think. People have often described me as mature for my age, something that at 13 years of age made me feel like an accomplished 18 years of age. At 18 years of age it made me feel like a capable twenty-something.

Now, as an only a moderately capable twenty-something, I realise what people were actually saying was that I seem to have a tendency to observe the world in a way that is perhaps beyond my years. That, or they were politely telling me that I was incredibly boring.

I don’t mistake this supposed maturity for wisdom. I have an enormous amount to learn and I’m the first to admit that ultimately I don’t really know anything about anything.

But I don’t think that not knowing should stop us from being curious, or documenting what we are learning, no matter how bijou or grandiose these lessons may be.

Are you still with me?

You’d be forgiven if not.

The musing nature of Modernish means I’m embracing going off on tangents. I think that’s essentially all that this blog will be. Some may well end up being tangents that have something worthwhile to say. Others, perhaps a little less so.

I know that I won’t have considered everything I write about from every possible perspective and for that, I am profoundly sorry. But I will certainly try to be thoughtful, so that we can enjoy taking a romp through modernish life together.

Whatever that means.