HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE 2023-2024!
I can’t believe that Sunday will already be New Year’s Eve again!!!
It’s been a trying year, to say the least, for this whole world. And, very sadly, we’re still going through it.
That is sparkling cider for me!
So here’s an idea to end the year on a hopefully positive note for yourselves, especially since you now have the entire week-end to get my suggestion done before the clock strikes midnight on Sunday night. I try to do this myself every year: I go through my recollections/notes/memory/appointment book for the past twelve months to come up with the highlights of each of them. I’ve occasionally shared some of them with you here on INAM, as a template to encourage you all to do the same; it reminds us to be grateful, no matter what is happening now. And it really does soothe the soul a bit.
I was actually having a tad of seasonal depression around Xmas last week. (Yes, even this bon vivette gets depressed from time to time, despite my glamorous life. It can happen to anyone at any time!) On the morning of Xmas Eve, I was struggling to even get out of bed. But then I remembered to do this gratitude exercise. (Because I was so blue, I actually had to force myself to do it! But I’m so glad I did.) And by the end of going through just January, my spirits began to lift! No lie.
Here’s something I’M grateful for–that I already did Times Square on one long ago New Year’s Eve, so I never have to do it again!
I do have to admit, though, that I did start feeling a bit down again when I realized after a while that few of my pals do anything back for me. But then my mood picked right back up when, by going over my activities for the past year, I realized how fortunate I am that I get to spend time with many different people, which is a beautiful thing!
But I saw this little note to the left on Facebook, (which I’m rarely on, except to post my article links on my “Fan Page,) and it resonated with me. So, if after you go through your past year, you feel like there are zero highlights, I endorse taking this missive’s advice to heart. It’s really enough.
And just keep this little lesson in mind, as well: With each new year, things can always change, either way. So take stock and appreciate what you have right now. If you don’t like things, there’s a whole new year to change it in. And if you do like everything–who are you??? What I meant to say is–work your hardest to hold onto it.
So perhaps you should try your own gratitude exercise in the next three days. Or even on New Year’s Day. Any time is appropriate for remembering to be grateful; many people get a bit depressed at the end of the year, and forget how really not-awful their lives are.
Part of the fun, festive, and delicious spread I put out for Mr. X and me last New Year’s Eve. Photo by Karen Salkin.
To quote Derek Hough, who recently wrote this positive message when his new wife suffered a terrible life-threatening medical situation, and thank goodness, is improving greatly: “While this isn’t the holiday season [we] envisioned, it’s the one we’re incredibly grateful to have.” I hope that all of us are able to capture our own spirit like those two are doing right now.
I wish you all a fabulous and safe New Year’s Eve, and a wonderful beginning of 2024 on Monday!!!
And just a reminder for those who might need it (or even care)—my birthday is exactly two weeks from today! Again.
