The last New Years Eve that I “properly” celebrated was December 31, 2019. My friends and I decided to go all out for a 1920s-themed party. It was going to be 2020, after all! Who knew what promising things would come with the new year ahead? LOL.
We went to a party that boasted a live band and lots of dancing, but arrived to sparsely populated tables of people quietly sipping cocktails. Naturally, this hardly deterred us from tearing up the dance floor on our own.
We ended the night at home, forgetting a plate of broiling nachos in the oven, and picking at anything that wasn’t soot. I look back now, thinking if this had been any regular night, it would have been fantastic.
At the time, however, I felt that the “perfect” New Years Eve celebration was a wash. And why? Because New Year's Eve never goes as planned. How can it? North Americans have always looked at the holiday with rose-tinted glasses.
Ever since that fateful NYE, I’ve changed my view on the celebration and pivoted to honoring it in a way that works for me. It involves getting rid of the stress, anxiety, and pressure surrounding the last (and first) day of the year—and learning to find joy in keeping things low-key. This is what I've learned.
Ditch the Kiss
In a post-pandemic world, it’s bizarre that this tradition (most likely originating from Germany) still exists. Imbuing an intimate act with your hopes and dreams for the coming year seems a bit naive. How many NYE kisses have you shared with partners who are no longer around?
Look, I get it. I grew up watching When Harry Met Sally and thinking how romantic it would be to kiss the love of my life in the first moments of a new year. As an independent 30-something, there’s nothing more isolating or stressful than sitting in a room full of couples making out to Auld Lang Syne like it's the be all and end all of romance. Let’s bring NYE back to personal accomplishments and future desires; not who we already smooch 364 days of the year.
Stay In
The idea of wearing heels during the coldest time of the year and partying until after midnight with a room full of strangers makes me want to scream. Also, have you seen Uber costs on NYE? No thank you!
Instead, why not invite your favorite people over for a night in? Potlucks, board games, movie marathons, OH MY! Having a budget-friendly slumber party with the friends who have been with you through the highs and lows of the year can be so cathartic and comforting.
The best part? You can tailor the night for yourselves. Want to bake 400 cookies and eat them all in one sitting? FIRE UP THE OVEN! Want to sing karaoke until your voice gives out? Whitney is on standby! Want to watch every Lord of the Rings movie back to back? “This day we fight!” You do you this NYE.
Resist the Resolution
The dreaded resolution: an antiquated concept and (yet) another reason to add stress to our plate for a new year. While ancient Babylonians made resolutions to their kings and gods, we North Americans have used them to swear to be better versions of ourselves going forward. Unfortunately, these changes usually relate to our weight, diet, and love lives.
I propose we all take a moment at the stroke of midnight to look back at the accomplishments we’ve made over the last year. I don’t want to tell myself to “do better” anymore. I want to start telling myself, “you did the best you could.” Life is hard. You made another rotation around the sun. Let’s all give ourselves a pat on the back.
Reflect and Look Forward
A friend of mine suggested journaling on NYE to see what came out. I took my time, reading through previous passages and taking stock of everything I did that year. “Holy Cow!” I thought to myself, “I’m kind of amazing!”
Where I reflect through writing, you may do so in music or photos or conversations. What art did you create? What relationships did you cultivate? What work achievements are you proud of? How did your kid do on that test you helped them study for? What Netflix shows did you watch?
Those little things are never on your resolution list, but they certainly add up. Instead of big resolutions, let’s get excited about the little things we can achieve in the new year.
Get that book that’s been on your list. Set a date to visit your grandparents. Buy that crochet kit you’ve had your eyes on. Our lives are the sum of small moments. Why not enjoy them?
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Ultimately, you know yourself best—and that applies to New Year’s Eve plans and aspirations for the year ahead. But, if we can offer one piece of advice: take the pressure off, and get in touch with what will best serve you this NYE (and beyond).
Personally, I want that childhood joy of staying up late with the family, eating snacks, and blowing horns to return to NYE celebrations. Going into 2024, I'd also like to be kinder to myself. And that starts with cutting down on the made-up pressures of this holiday and cuttin’ loose!