Why I don’t believe in “Happy New Year!”

I was 11 or 12. Surrounded by the cast of a play I’d been involved in. Music, Christmas lights, big dark hall. Everyone’s smiling and counting the year out. Midnight arrives. Cheering! People are more happy, hugging and singing… But why? I didn’t get it! It was a few seconds into the next year and obviously I was still me. Still stuck in the same box for the next 4-5 years with the same humans wearing the same clothes. Happy New Year! Your car / house / spouse hasn’t magically transformed from one second to the next!

This year has been full of ups and downs. Next year will be as too, but I hope it’s a good one for you!

How is that positive? I guess it’s not! But I’m not a psychopath – I feel – too deeply! But my logic brain won’t let me participate in illogical new year bliss! Yeh – I identify with Spock – always felt like an alien! Haha! But – here’s the kicker – I think I believe in something more positive than “New Year New You”. Or whatever new thing you’re hankering after!

As a teacher I had two new years – January 1 and the first day of the new school year. I always saw September as a chance for the kids to make a fresh start. We didn’t know each other yet! I made a point of trying to put on the shelf what their last teacher said about them. (Always liked the naughty ones anyway!) September was a chance for me to clear out and give the classroom a fresh new look.

Between January and New Year I like to look back and review. Remember people who’ve blessed me that year. See that I’m not where I was. Consider whether my goals still sit right with me. (Or am I like a dog ragging on a long dead toy.) But I can’t be naive enough to believe that things will be better because it’s the next year!

I believe you can start over at any time. Personally I’ve nothing against people that suddenly start the gym in January. I hope they stick at it! But I believe that you’re more persistent with new goals if you’re in it for you. Not because it’s a new year and that’s what people do! My first (terrified!) gym session was 21/10/2023. First time I lifted weights was February. Because an old shoulder injury was giving me gyp. It was physio and the best habit I’ve ever picked up.

We started my website over in November. I started my life over in April 2022 (or October 2021 depending how you look at it!). Beastie and I started a new life together in June 22. We had to trash and start over with business plans in September 23. But that’s just me!

Everyone has an opportunity to start new, several times a year if you need to do it on an anniversary! There’s a new Tax Year in April. (yaaay! :-/) A birthday every year. New school year. Every day is a new start if you want it to be. Why wait for the new year?! There’s no guarantee that 25 will be brilliant. But if it’s crap, you can have a fresh start the next day if you want to! It’s all up to you!

And I hope 2025 is happy for all of you! (I just don’t think it’s guaranteed when the clock ticks over to the next year!)