1998 New Year’s Resolutions:
- Time for Spiritual Path – yoga, meditation.
- Clean beer cans before returning for recycling.
The New Year is my holiday. Not New Year’s Eve. January 1st. The international holiday for enthusiastic planners, optimistic procrastinators, and delighters in calendars, daytimers, and journals. It’s an exciting time for us.
Well, maybe not always. On the morning of the first day of the new millennium, I was a miserable shaking body on the bathroom floor alternating yoga’s child’s pose with heaving into the toilet. That, my last hung-over January 1st, was 20 years ago.
Two years before, I met a commitment and ran into Halifax HarboUr for a Polar Bear Dip with an air temp ~-15C (5F). I was the coldest I’ve ever been and, no, I’ve never had the desire to celebrate the new year that way again.
Years later on a January 1st in the PNW, I returned back at my apartment feeling extremely relaxed and happy after a hot yoga class at a beautiful studio. I had started to get my shit together at that point and was content to be alone (and sober) on New Year’s Eve and Day. But what did I see as I pulled into my parking space? My upstairs’ neighboUr, a man about my age, spread-eagle on the hood of a sports car. The woman behind the wheel backed up and he slowly fell to the pavement and did not get up. As she (I assume the ex) started driving away she shouted at him “are you happy now? Happy that your nice neighboUr had to see you like this?” The man remained sprawled on the pavement. Awkward. And a reminder of the alcohol-fueled drama I was glad to have behind me.
After that, I shared three wonderful January 1sts by snowshoeing in the cascades with a large group of friends. This became my favoUrite way to start the year—fresh air, exercise, and lots of laughter. I risk getting sadly nostalgic when looking at the photos and one of the goals with my move this month is to find a group to hike and snowshoe with again.
When I started to think about memorable New Years for this post, I realized I have a significant anniversary on 01/01/2020: I became a vegetarian 30 years ago! I wouldn’t say I’ve been in a rut with food, but because I eat out less, have had limited kitchen facilities, and don’t get tired of eating the same food every day (e.g. a big salad for dinner) … I’m usually eating the same food every day. Now because of the fancy kitchen in my new apartment, I’ve been motivated to try new recipes and a shelf is quickly filling up with new spices. For me, the excitement for the new year is tied with my move. And I’m happy to report that I have been out for a group hike twice this month. Here’s to seeing 2020!
References and related links:
- PNW: the Pacific Northwest.
- coldish (post #84).
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