How do you equate a new year to a fresh start, to a new slate?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17380)
Canada
December 29, 2011 5:49pm CST
It's about the end of the day at work right now, and some people are already saying goodbye for the year. It's as if they're going away for a while, and not come back for a long time, bringing with them a fresh start, a new slate.
When in fact, they'll just be gone for the weekend, and will be back to work next week doing the same work, the same daily grind.
My question is, how do you reconcile the thought of having a new year with having a fresh start? How do you wipe the slate clean, and start anew next week? Whoever decided that at the start of the year we could forget all our troubles behind, and look forward to something great? Isn't this all just hype?
I'm not being sarcastic, or anything. I just want to hear/read other people's point of view so that I could adopt it as my own.
3 people like this
7 responses
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Dec 11
I've often wondered this myself. I will have to say this "new" feeling hasn't come to me during this time for a couple or so years now . . . maybe it's because I'm so occupied with the kids and family life . . . the daily thing IS the daily thing - nothin' "new" about that?! I'm not saying it as a bad thing - I'm just saying it's just a continuance of time and life.
But before, yes, the New Year did mark something "new". For me, my parents always celebrated it the Japanese way . . . eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve to wash away the "old" year . . . and staying happy and not doing chores on New Year's Day (with the mentality that whatever you do on New Year's Day foreshadows the rest of the year). And we used to go to my Aunt's to eat traditional Japanese New Year's food with the rest of the family. It was pretty much as big as Christmas. Well, these days we just go to my parents house for a day get together to eat the New Year's food - not as big a celebration, but at least the basic traditions go on. These rituals make the new year seem "new", I guess - and I still feel "that" for a wee bit - but otherwise, like I said, it just feels like the continuance of life.
If anything, I guess the beginning of a new calendar year gives anyone an EXCUSE to start anew. A definite starting line in which everyone gets - everyone can jump in. Take advantage of using this "excuse" - or not.
Now I like that different cultures have different dates for the "New Year" . . . so I like the idea that we can all start anew several times in the year - ha ha!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Dec 11
True - the little ones don't quite understand the feeling of "new" yet - just another flip of the calendar page! I guess to make it all special for them, it's work for us (though I'm not saying that as a bad thing) - but IT IS a lot of work sometimes. And then after all that, there's the clean up - which is more work again (like today - all the Christmas decorations go bye bye). How wonderful it would be for the kids to never feel jaded in their lives . . . but you know . . . so I guess thank goodness there is a "new" year in which to celebrate!!!
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
31 Dec 11
I think for us parents, dealing with family life and the kids, and the 'continuance of life' take precedence of whatever celebration we go through. It's just the reminder that our kids don't see this celebration of 'new' day/month/year like we do that makes us extend the effort to make it special. So that they may not become as jaded as us, but still think it to be fresh start or a new slate.
Thanks!
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
30 Dec 11
For me it is coincidentally a new fresh start. I have been training for my new job and will have my first full work weeks next week, with the first of the year. I have resisted making resolutions, regarding any time I chose to start over as being the new start for me. I make intentions, more than resolutions. I intend to enjoy my new job. I intend to get back to fitness. I intend to be healthy and lose weight.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169590)
• United States
31 Dec 11
And you can add new intentions any time you choose to. It is great.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
31 Dec 11
I like that GG!
I hope you don't mind if I steal your idea. To make intentions instead of resolutions. I think it would be easier on myself if I don't pull through with an intention. And it would save me a lot of grief and disappointment.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
Goodluck with the new job.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
30 Dec 11
I haven't looked forward to a year since I was 20. And then when I turned 21, it was a let down. I felt the same. Now it is just a change of the year, not a huge change in me!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
31 Dec 11
It wasn't being burdened, it was doing what I wanted that made me apathic to the changing of the year. i hope your 2012 brings more good times than bad.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
30 Dec 11
Gee.. sounds like a simple question, but it's sort of a complicated answer, and my brain isn't thinking that deeply at 6pm on a Friday.
I don't think it's hype.. I guess it's all in how you look at it.
I mean, honestly you can start anew whenever you want. You can start with a clean slate any day of any week of any year. You don't have to wait till a Monday or until the start of a new year.
But for most people the start of a new year means a fresh start.
I do not have any plans for this upcoming year. No goals or anything like that.. just to continue doing what I'm doing.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
31 Dec 11
Yeah, that pretty much sounds like what I planned to do.. except moving up the career ladder. For now I'd be happy with more hours, but I'm really not sure I want any added responsibilites. I've been there nearly 3 months and I am still not completely comfortable doing my job and still have to ask questions every day. Normally I'm a very fast learner.. so it's not me, it's the job. There's a lot to remember and a lot to pay attention to.
I've recently been given alarm codes, so I'll be capable of opening and closing finally. Within the coming weeks I will be capable of working at the drive thru alone. Normally who ever is there is alone, but before I can be alone I must be issued a hand-held alarm and they have to make a limit exception. For the first 6 months my withdrawal limit is only $1,000.. so the big boss needs to approve the exception just for the drive thru if I'm going to be alone.
They're also finally talking about issuing me cashier's checks.
So I'm coming along, and my supervisor keeps telling me I'm doing a good job, regardless of the couple mistakes I've made along the way.
But there's no way I'm thinking about promotions yet!
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
31 Dec 11
Hey kat! So, let me tell you what your plans are for the coming year.
First off, get through the grieving process of your FIL. To just be close to your hubby specially if he needs you.
Then work on the house you're currently in. Somehow make it 'homey', for you and your family.
And then, move up the career ladder at BoA!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
30 Dec 11
Heyya bounce! I think that it greatly depends on the initiative of the person deciding to have a "fresh start." How far someone is willing to go to accomplish their goal I guess. I am going to go back to the grind when my New Year starts. Same work, same problems. I am going to try and do a few more things for me this year though. For one...I am not going to promise myself the moon...I am going to be rational about changes I want to make.
I think that it can be a lot of hype if a person allows it but it can also be the chance to add good things that can turn into great things.
Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
31 Dec 11
I have come to find that it works better for me that way. A lot of smalls can add up to a great big. I think my first small is going to be to try and paint at least once a month. I think I miss that the most since going back to school. I am also going to try and finish up my degree this year. It might take me doing two classes at once, but I think I can swing that every now and again. Maybe I will save $5 a paycheck other than what I already have back. It doesn't sound like very much but it might start a habit.
What do you think your first will be?
What do you think your first will be?@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
31 Dec 11
I do agree that it all depends on the person. If one decides on having a 'fresh start', or decides on new goals, then having a new just makes it convenient.
I like your idea though. I've been promising myself the moon for the longest time, and I think it's about time I tone it down. Maybe I'd do well with smaller hurdles.
Thanks Jen, and Happy New Year to you too!
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
It will be a change in numbers, from the year 2011 to 2012, from 31 to 1. I am not sarcastic either but everything will be the same on January 1, the same frustrations, the same problems and a lot less money because most would surely have exhausted their funds during the holidays. If we want a fresh start with our lives, we don't have to wait for a new year. Any day will certainly serve the purpose as long as we are determined to make better for ourselves. I am not also into those new year's resolutions since most are not usually followed. There are now lots of forecasts and predictions on the coming year but have you ever felt any changes in your life? It all depends upon our perseverance and determination to make good with ourselves not on the dates of the calendar.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
30 Dec 11
Beyond all the hype, I share your views on the coming year. It doesn't have to take a new year if we want a fresh start.
For sure, all the frustrations, and financial concerns will still be there. It's a matter of determination if we want it.
Thanks for the response.
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
I actually think of that, the new year brings a fresh start but not a new slate exactly. I am excited to welcome the new year for this reason. You see, we had been able to complete another year and was able to survive.
New year for me means there are another 365 days in our lives and we can expect something new actually, we never know what each new day brings. Every new beginnings also brings something new, although I agree with you that right after the holiday vacation many are just going back to normal. Its just happy to plan for the new year and have great expectations like what I mentioned here: http://nut.bz/6eyt0i45/
