A new year feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? It’s like hitting the reset button. The calendar says it’s the first day of 365 under the sun, but for me, it’s more than that. Some people love setting goals, while others treat every day as a new beginning. Personally, I’m all about grabbing each day as an opportunity to start something new. I like to get things done right away—there’s no waiting around for me.
Celebrating New Year Away from home:
But celebrating the New Year in a different country, away from family, is a whole different experience. Loneliness on a day that’s supposed to feel joyful really makes you reflect (cue the awkward laugh). Spending New Year’s in Dubai has given me a lot of time to think about what I want this year to look like. And honestly, my first big goal is going back to school. It’s a dream that keeps me awake at night, so fingers crossed for online classes. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll need to make some tough decisions.
To visit a Buddhist temple and talk to monks:
I also want to travel more this year. Katmandu, Nepal, is at the top of my list—I’d love to visit a Buddhist temple and talk to monks, ask them all the questions that have been on my mind. I’m also planning some vacations to Thailand and the Philippines. And who knows, maybe I’ll explore opportunities in other countries too. My time in Georgia taught me how much I love winter and wearing cozy winter clothes. Funny how we always seem to want what we don’t have, right?
The future is such a fascinating thing:
Thinking about the year ahead can feel overwhelming sometimes, but it’s also exciting. The future is such a fascinating thing. Does our mindset shape our future, or is everything already written in the stars? I’ve heard people say destiny is something you just walk through, already mapped out by the cosmos. Who knows? But whether our future is predetermined or ours to create, I believe in planning and dreaming big. The universe, after all, listens to a stubborn heart.
So, here’s my advice—write down your dreams and plans for the year. Then check back next year and see what you made happen. Who knows? Maybe it’ll answer the age-old question: do we create our future, or is it already decided for us? Either way, let’s make 2025 count!
Trivia:
The first New Year’s celebration dates back 4,000 years. Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome, was the first to declare Jan. 1 a national holiday. He named the month after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates. Janus had two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. Caesar felt that a month named after this god would be fitting.
Forty-five percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The top resolutions are: to lose weight, get organized, to spend less and save more, to stay fit and healthy, and to quit smoking. While nearly half of all Americans make resolutions, 25 percent of them give up on their resolutions by the second week of January.
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