Those who know me well, will testify that I am not a big fan of New Year. I find the enforced sense of celebration and jollity artificial and stressful. Add to this memories of a ghastly New Year for me and my family and you may understand why for nearly twenty years I have avoided celebrating New Year’s Eve. Instead our family NYEs have been quiet affairs, possibly with a couple of close friends (on condition they don’t get too carried away!) enjoying a board game or other such excitement. However, time is, as they say, a great healer, and this year I am looking forward to seeing in 2025 with friends; relatively low-key but by anyone’s standards, a party.
New Year is also a traditional time for making resolutions although also traditionally few people manage to stick to their resolutions with research suggesting that for one in five people new year’s resolutions last for less than a month! (Forbes, Dec 2023) The most popular resolutions revolve around health - lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more and so on with relationship goals being the next most popular categories. For sure, some people find setting a specific date helpful in achieving a goal but my own view is that change comes when you are ready for change. When you truly want to be healthier, you will find the will-power to make the necessary changes. As a teacher, for thirty plus years I experienced two ‘new’ years, one in September and one in January and perhaps this is why I have rarely set New Year’s resolutions.
However, at the beginning of the academic year 23-24, I was lucky enough to hear the adventurer Darren Edwards speak. His life was altered beyond recognition one day when he experienced a life changing accident whilst climbing. Something he said resonated with me - “Imagine the life you want and then work to achieve it”. That is exactly what I have done. This time last year, I wrote a blog entitled New Beginnings which detailed the change of career that I was aiming for and the training required for my new role. This January, I am delighted to report that I will be leaping into the new year, established in my new role as an Independent Celebrant, offering bespoke, personalised ceremonies to mark life’s occasions. I am relishing this new role and feel privileged beyond words to serve individuals, couples and families with integrity, empathy and creativity. An unexpected benefit of my new life has been to make time for a daily walk which is having a huge benefit on my health - more effective than the many times I started January on a diet!
My heart-felt thanks to all the family and friends who spent those quiet New Year’s Eves with me and who have supported me to make this change. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2025.
By Catrina Young, Leicestershire Heart-led celebrant, Marking Life’s Moments.
©Hardingstone Ceremonies, Dec, 2024
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