Many people grow up in homes where keeping the peace isn’t just encouraged, it’s an emotional requirement. There can be many reasons for this. The tension may come from parents struggling financially, family issues, alcohol misuse, unpredictable moods, unspoken grief or the heavy silences that shape so many households.

At this time of year it’s hard to avoid hearing about new year’s resolutions. Although the general consensus seems to be that they rarely last, many of us still go ahead and make them. Mine was to stop drinking alcohol for six weeks, and week one has gone splendidly, mainly because I think my body is so relieved to have a rest from consumption!