What Is New Year's to Me
By Loretta
@noni1959 (11772)
United States
December 30, 2025 12:08pm CST
The last few years had and still has its ups and downs, and I learned a lot, cried a lot, and not feeling 2026 is my year. I've said that for several years, and lost hope expecting things will magically get better.
I'm ready to take on opportunities, not afraid of challenges, and pretty good at survival. I try to get excited about small things, have meaningful connections, and I’m hoping for progress in this house ordeal. But, I'm also taking chaos into a new year.
I am learning to ignore those who say dismissive statements when confiding for support. "It will be OK" "You need to give it to God more" "At least you...." and "You're fine." Those statements shut down conversation and are not positive. I also believe blood does not equal family. I'm growing and taking that into the new year.
I also don't celebrate getting one year older. It means I know my morality much better at age 66 (67 in May), than I did at age 40 and before.
Do you celebrate New Year's. I'll just be home. Gone are those days of an excuse to go dancing.
This photo is of Shoalwater Bay, outside of Tokeland, WA. I took it yesterday coming back from Westport and Grayland. It was a beautiful day there, though cold.
6 people like this
6 responses
@DaddyEvil (164420)
• United States
6h
We haven't celebrated the New Year in years... Too many drunks on the road for me to feel safe. We stay home. She plays games with friends online and I talk on myLot and read my books.
The picture is beautiful but I could feel the cold seeping through my laptop! 
Friends are the family you get to choose! (I hope I've never shut down our conversations with some annoying inanity.)
Friends are the family you get to choose! (I hope I've never shut down our conversations with some annoying inanity.)1 person likes this
@celticeagle (183767)
• Boise, Idaho
4h
Let me tell you this-- I don't believe in God. I hate that phrase: "Give it to God". I respect those who do believe in him and never put him down unless asked directly for my views. Just interacting with you here as much as I have recently, I know you to be a strong person. Life has taught me that we won't always get just what we want but we will get what we need when we need it. That's just how life works.
Beautiful photo.
@AmbiePam (109032)
• United States
4h
The photo is beautiful. 
I haven’t done anything for New Year’s since I was a teen and our church youth group went downtown to watch the fireworks. We saw the fireworks, and we also saw a lot of drunk people throwing up. Not my idea of a good time. I’ll be at home with my dog, probably watching a college football game until close to midnight.
People mean well, don’t they. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when someone says something insensitive. It’s okay to not be okay. 
I haven’t done anything for New Year’s since I was a teen and our church youth group went downtown to watch the fireworks. We saw the fireworks, and we also saw a lot of drunk people throwing up. Not my idea of a good time. I’ll be at home with my dog, probably watching a college football game until close to midnight.
People mean well, don’t they. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when someone says something insensitive. It’s okay to not be okay. 
@moffittjc (126788)
• Gainesville, Florida
4h
I do plan on celebrating New Year's, but I don't really have any great plans for 2026. To me, it will just be another year. There will be good days, there will be bad days. But I will make the most of each and every situation I'm faced with.
I love your photo. It would bring me much solitude if I were there and could just sit and watch the water for hours...
@sallypup (67351)
• Centralia, Washington
6h
Lovely photo. I tend to do zip on New Years day. Four years ago I was packing to move Southwest. I was crying yet excited about leaving the sagebrush country. We've had too many health scares since then. I'm glad we are nearer docs and green. I hope you do have a better year ahead.
