THE final shift I worked for The National before leaving for six months was incredibly apt in its headlines for foreshadowing. 

My final two stories were ‘You don’t look finished to me’: What it was like at Glasgow’s Yes march — with the quote attributed to then-first minister Humza Yousaf — and SNP and Greens activists react to Bute House Agreement row.

Humza Yousaf has not been first minister since May (on day three in Peru, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree with messages from colleagues, family and friends with news of his resignation — thanks everyone). The Bute House Agreement has been torn to shreds. And the independence movement? I can honestly say I’m not sure.

Four days after I arrived back home, I attended the Believe in Scotland anniversary march to mark 10 years since indyref. It was a very unusual feeling, to return to the movement after the longest period away since I first got involved in that setting.

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People were incredibly reflective. I was honestly struck by the amount of young people around me who I knew were like me during the first referendum and were too young to vote. I, at the time, was also a No supporter. Yes, you read that right. A journalist working for the only pro-independence daily newspaper still has her “No Thanks” badge. I wore it on my blazer with pride as I debated in favour of the Union during modern studies.

But like many others in that crowd, I swung from No to Yes and speaking to a friend after the march, they asked where 2014 will stand in the history of Scotland. How will we remember it not just 10 years on but 50?

I thought back to the 1979 referendum on devolution. That campaign failed at the first hurdle. Not enough of society taken with it to ensure a victory, even with the 40% rule.

That’s where I feel 2014 will sit. And one day, we will be celebrating an independent Scotland’s 25th anniversary. But like many speakers at the rally said, it won’t be tomorrow, and it won’t be next year.

That's the biggest change I have come back to. The honest perspective from both the parties and the activists. And it is in no way accepting defeat.

Things like the report published by Stephen Noon and Kezia Dugdale are likely what is going to be what takes the campaign forward — informed conversations from both sides on what works best for the people of Scotland. Bit by bit, the answer of an independent country will be heard by those who might not support independence now more and more.

The maximisation of the energy argument from all involved in the independence movement is one of those pieces.

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With the new Labour Government taking, what they describe, as the biggest steps towards reforming our energy infrastructure in the last decade — the energy conversation has been high in the agenda at The National.

Just this week my colleague Steph Brawn spoke to an Octopus Energy chief who said Scotland would have the “cheapest electricity in Europe” and could even have free power at times if zonal pricing was introduced.

I really do feel the movement, Government and pro-independence parties must be ready to use Scotland’s natural resources to convince undecided voters of Scotland’s potential — just as those in the 1970s used oil to ensure devolution was top of the agenda.

I'm incredibly keen to hear what groups around the country are getting up to so please, email grassroots@thenational.scot if you want to chat and feature in The National!