Dionne
I've always been a lover of New Year's Eve. As a family we have always celebrated it. We'd all pile into my Nan's house for a big party. I'd help her with the buffet and took great pride in putting together the cheese and pickled onion cocktail sticks for display. Everyone was welcome, family friends, neighbours - you name it! At midnight we would spill out onto the street singing Auld Lang Syne and hugging. I didn't have a clue what the words were but I knew from how invested the grown ups were that it was meaningful, although looking back this may have been the whisky and wine talking! The fireworks, the laughter and being with my favourite people always makes New Year one of my favourite times of the year.
My Nan was a very superstitious lady and it was my job as a dark-haired girl to take a piece of coal, run out of the backdoor, down the entry and knock on the front door and be invited into the house to let the new year in. I loved it and I still do it to this day. Another tradition was to gather in a circle around my Nan and Grandy singing 'Simply the best' by Tina Turner. They have both since passed away and were a huge part of my life so the song brings back such precious memories for me every time I hear it. I love that about music, that it has the ability to teleport you instantly back in time as soon as you hear the first few notes.
I know a lot of people find New Year's Eve quite depressing but I see it as really positive thing. Metaphorically closing the door on any negative rubbish from the current year and opening the door to 365 opportunities for change, improvement and endless possibilities. I've seen people complaining on social media about New Year gym starters or people who make resolutions. If someone needs New Year's resolutions to motivate them into making a change, what's the problem? I'm all for that! It's healthy to set goals and I actually look forward to planning out my goals and ambitions for the coming year. Some of my goals for 2023 include being more present and not spending my time over planning and worrying. Also allowing myself some time to be creative which is a rarity for me since becoming a first time Mum in October 2021. Self-care is also at the top of my list for 2023. I have realised no matter how hard I try that I cannot pour from an empty cup so as well as looking after my little family I also need to make sure I'm looking after little old me.
Once the Christmas fairy dust has settled, I hope you find the time to enjoy the little things. A hot chocolate in front of the fire, the laughter of little ones in the park, a beer with friends or curling up with a book in peace. Goals don't need to be over ambitious, even the smallest changes can have a huge impact. Making time to do things that makes you feel good is chicken soup for the soul and doing nice things for other people always makes me feel really warm and fuzzy inside. Especially in this current climate where watching the news feels like an extreme sport, kindness is needed more than ever! The ever-rising cost of living is pretty scary (especially with a one year old who eats us out of house and home) and I am really trying to concentrate on the positives right now, work on myself and do a few good deeds along the way. I invite you to give it a try and see how much of an impact it has on your life.
From our family to yours, I wish you a magnificent New Year and my wish for you is that 2023 brings you happiness… whatever that may look like to you!
