My New Year to Yours
On New Year Evenings and reflections from the year that has passed
Happy New Year to all my readers, subscribers and the wonderful Substack community. You all make a difference in my life, much more than you can imagine. Thank you for being part of my journey.
Something in the word “new” in the New Year makes you believe that something new and better will be happening in the coming times. But does the new thing happens looking at the calendar? May be, it does.
Although I don’t hate New Years, but I do find myself confused about what I should be doing on the New Year’s evening. From the last few years, I have had option to go to some New Year’s party where people go in the group, they drink and dance together and sort of wait for the year to change.
The thing is parties don’t tempt me the way it used to. Also, being a sensitive person, the idea of being around loud music all night and some complete strangers do overwhelm me. But I do like spending quality time with the people I love. From last few years, I have been fortunate to be spending it with one of my closest friends. We have been doing very simple rituals like sitting under the moon, lighting a scented candle, talking our hearts out and doing the reflections in our journals.
This year that friend of mine was not in the same city as me. But I did very similar things by myself. I believe it’s a good time to do reflections, although I also think any day is a good day to reflect on your past, remember and cherish your small wins, have gratitude for the things that work out and may be, if you like then set intentions for the coming year.
2024 was a good year. Life became bit easy as I met some wonderful people. I learned to trust myself more than ever and was less scared of the hard emotions which came on the surface. Also, I truly experienced the impermanence nature of everything. So, when days felt hard, I held my hand until I smiled again. When days felt easy and there was peace in my heart, I lived those days as fully as I could.
Last year, as any other year not everything happened as my plan, but I am at peace the way it happened. I had the internal space and courage to keep myself open to new things and experienced some magical moments.
Last year, I thought I have completed my journey of letting go and grieving. But life humbled me with things that made me to let some more go, cry a little more, hug myself a little more and understand this letting go is a long and nonlinear journey.
They say that no one is coming to save you. But I experienced moments where people saved me and stood up for me in the way I have craved from my childhood. I think, love, friendship, sisterhood and relations build on love and respect can save you in the ways you don’t even realize.
I felt the joy in fulfilling my tiny wishes like visiting the old library I always wanted to, doing a certain hair style, wearing a certain type of long dress and buying myself the biggest tote bag my soul has always craved for.
Last year I asked for help and accepted help like never before. I felt safe with strangers and saw strangers becoming my friend. Life showed me time do change, gaps are filled slowly, and things do become easy, when you don’t give up on yourself and your intention of creating a beautiful life for yourself.
If you ask me the difference between the version of me in January last year and January this year, I will say I am in love with myself more. I don’t dim my light when I sense somebody is feeling uncomfortable with my light. I got better in accepting and finding joys in the detours. I give grace to myself and others when things are messed up. I am more in peace with my emotions, body and the life I am creating for myself. I have more space in my internal world to hold different versions of truth with grace.
Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year.
Lots of love and healing,
Harneek!!
This week’s recommendations:
- . A reminder to hope and being honest about all your child like wishes
- . You will enjoy the story telling and the journey of a woman’s internal world while going on an external solo journey
Why the year doesn’t really start on January 1st by
. This one will give your courage to explore and find your versions of any new day or a new year
Happy new year, Harneek! Here’s to hoping this year is a great one for all of us 🥂.
Wonderful reflections, Harneek, and happy new year. Thank you for what you write on here, and wishing you all the best this year as well.