Why New Year's Day Is Not Just Another Day
Why I need the new year
This morning when I woke up my first thought was, I’m so cozy! Last night it was decidedly chilly around midnight. For the 6th year in a row, my new years eve was spent comforting my poor scared Coco. In the end, the night wasn’t so bad with the fireworks being contained to midnight. Myself and both my dogs were settled by 12.30am which is definitely the sign of a good year. It’s always a night I dread, particularly when I’m somewhere new and the amount of fireworks is an unknown factor. However, although I dread New Years Eve, I love the new year.
I love words, images and metaphors and the new year is the perfect time to bring them all into action. It is the beginning of a book of blank pages in which to begin writing a new story. It is true, if we don’t take the responsibility of writing our own story, someone else will. So this year I have both a blank page to begin but also a blank canvas to paint. Here in my new surroundings, I have a new canvas to play with and in my head I am still figuring the layout of the land both literally and figuratively. I’m still not yet sure where I want to put features such as my vegetable beds, a seating area, the compost bins and toilet. These things will all come in time.
As I lay in bed this morning feeling cozy, it began to rain. It was the gentle, comforting rain that patters on the roof of my caravan. I am relieved that 2022 is over and grateful for this new opportunity that I now have. When I travel, I wander. I get up in the morning and I just go, whether that’s in the city or by a beach, I head out the door and go explore. I love it and it brings such a sense of freedom. However, in life that has proven to be completely unsuccessful. I am someone who is susceptible to both overwhelm and burnout. Knowing where I’m going and having direction has helped me significantly over these past couple of years. What I don’t know is how I’ll get there or how long it will take? This is where the magic lies and now I’m learning to enjoy the journey and this process even more.
So for me the new year is not just another day. It is the perfect time to stop, reflect, consider, plan and dream. I need these markers to help me navigate through life and I love how metaphors can help me communicate the feelings and ponderings that are held in my heart. Communication is not a great skill of mine and I’ll take any tool that helps me.
So 2023, as you see above, my notebooks and sketchbooks are ready. I embrace your blank canvas, your clean page and using the markers I gained from 2022, I’m beginning to map out my new route.
Thank you 2022 and goodbye.
Love Claire