Why do we mark this arbitrary point in space and time? What makes 23:59 on 31 December so different from 00:01 on 1 January?
1 January is a public holiday in many countries, making it the only day that businesses are closed across the world simply to let people sleep in. (Not to be confused with Australia Day; the only day that business are closed across a country just so citizens can get drunk.)
New Year's is one of the many things the Romans gifted the modern world and is celebrated on 1 January in almost every country of the world - even countries that don't traditionally use the Gregorian calendar will recognise 1 January as a New Year. Some people link the western "New Year" with Christianity (another Roman 'gift') and so celebrate in moderation, or feel left out. There's a great article about Israel's discord between the 'New Year' in the Gregorian and the Hebrew calendars here.
One of the many things I love about Sydney is how huge a party it puts on for the Chinese New Year, yet while the parade and fireworks are fun, I don't get the same feeling about the next day as I do on 1 January. You could say this is because I didn't grow up using the Chinese calendar, but I did grow up using the Islamic calendar, and I can't remember any widespread celebrations for Hijri New Year in 16 years.
Some people use January to practice their calligraphy skills to change one number into another - slightly harder to do this year unless your 3s start off very angular.
Some make resolutions, making this the year they quit smoking or take up running or just be happier. But what's to stop you from making resolutions on your birthday, or on the 2nd of May? Life is an ever-changing, ever-evolving beast and every moment - throughout the year - is a chance for you to do what you've always wanted to do. Plus making a new-June resolution takes off the pressure of a 365 day timetable deadline, just take one day at a time.
Lately, I've looked forward to the first week of January as a chance to get a head-start on projects at work. Most of my colleagues take an extra week of holidays where they can, and there are very few deadlines for the 5th of January. The phone stays quiet all day and the only emails you get are out of office replies. This leaves our office calm and contemplative and makes for a great environment to get things done.
I can't deny though, that there's something in the air on the 1st of January. Like the world is holding its breath, waiting to see what you're going to do next. I get the urge to spring clean, make plans, make this year stand out. I start new projects (like this one), rearrange furniture, change my Facebook photo. But I don't make resolutions. Resolutions (also known in some circles as goals) are my constant companion throughout the year, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and onto a glacier in the middle of a frozen June, or to sign up for a 3 month Spanish course in late September. These - and many, many more - were fantastic experiences that I did finish. Which may not happen to resolutions, which must compete with each other and with the ramping up of the year.
So, I believe the New Year is a challenge, an opportunity, a space for something new. And so is every other day of the year.
Posted on Janaury 2, 2014
#reflections #culture #january #newyear #resolutions