In the middle of winter, when nature sleeps silently, preserving its energy for the seasons to come, the modern turn of the calendar year feels almost out of place. When is new year really New Year?
Beautiful words and photographs David. We had a foggy few days straight from Boxing Day. Wasn't it wonderful.
I love the idea of the New Year beginning on March 25th, following the Julian calendar. As it is around the beginning of Spring, this to me is the perfect time to start a new year. January feels like a time when we should be resting, and gently planning for the year ahead, not heading straight back into full energy activities.
I enjoy this time of year for the most part, but it often feels anticlimactic. There is so much pressure, and even the idea of promise, which removes us from the moment and snatches some of the magic ✨
I haven’t spent much time outdoors but expect I’ll head out on a few long walks before the official return to the studio 💫
What beautiful photos and lovely words. I had a go at baking but alas it did not go well! I enjoyed the process though. I too have had some foggy walks and it still feels good to be outside especially in shorter bursts and being able to come home into the warmth, I am so full of gatitude after the cold for my warm, cosy space.
I have also been baking and enjoying sharing the results with friends. We have had many walks on grey, still days or through veils of mist that shift and gleam as sun breaks through. I enjoy the balance of quiet days among the sociable ones as life seems to pause between solstice and new year.
“The period of waiting and expectancy to be found in Advent, is so easily eclipsed by the festive celebrations which begin so early, I fear many are weary of Christmas before it even begins”. Totally agree with what you said here, David. It seems like society celebrates Halloween on October 31st and then immediately the next day, the 1st of November is now the Christmas season. It seems like with each year, November is getting lost in the shuffle.
That is so interesting about the New Year and how it used to be on a different day! ✨
Hmm, the most natural New Year to me was September, the academic year. It seemed like time to hunker down and get on with real life after the carefree days of summer. And, of course, new stationery! 🤓🤓
Lovely read, I still align with the 1st of January and calendar year as a marker, but not in the way I used to. There’s too much pressure for many to take up resolutions and ‘being better’.
I didn’t realise New Year used to be a different date either! The idea of having it in March makes much more sense to me. Spring always feels like my new beginning in a bigger sense
I love this time of the year but I really dislike the expectation and social pressure of New Year's Eve. Every time I say that I won't do anything special on that night, I have too meet looks of pity that people give me, as if I was an antisocial abandoned person. Last year, I took a frosty walk at the park on January 1st and I plan to do the same this year, it was so nice.
Here in Italy, we celebrate Epiphany on January 6th, the arrival of the three Kings with the presents for baby Jesus. Therefore, by tradition, the holidays end on January 6th and only after that date we take down all the decorations. I really enjoy this because I find it makes easier to settle in the new year. Another tradition was to wait December 8th, Immaculate Conception, to put up the tree but the last few years, with the influence of the American culture through the internet, people have started way earlier, even in November, with the decorations. My mum and I, however, kept this tradition and we decorate our family tree every December 8th.
Lovely traditions 🎄 Absolutely agree about New Year; it’s a sort of something and nothing 😂 We usually stay up until midnight, but in 41 years, I’ve never been out or done anything special 🙈
Beautiful words and photographs David. We had a foggy few days straight from Boxing Day. Wasn't it wonderful.
I love the idea of the New Year beginning on March 25th, following the Julian calendar. As it is around the beginning of Spring, this to me is the perfect time to start a new year. January feels like a time when we should be resting, and gently planning for the year ahead, not heading straight back into full energy activities.
I enjoy this time of year for the most part, but it often feels anticlimactic. There is so much pressure, and even the idea of promise, which removes us from the moment and snatches some of the magic ✨
I haven’t spent much time outdoors but expect I’ll head out on a few long walks before the official return to the studio 💫
Yes, I always have mixed feelings about New Year, somehow something and nothing ✨🌿
What beautiful photos and lovely words. I had a go at baking but alas it did not go well! I enjoyed the process though. I too have had some foggy walks and it still feels good to be outside especially in shorter bursts and being able to come home into the warmth, I am so full of gatitude after the cold for my warm, cosy space.
Thank you 🙏✨ Lots of lovely moments to share 🌿
I have also been baking and enjoying sharing the results with friends. We have had many walks on grey, still days or through veils of mist that shift and gleam as sun breaks through. I enjoy the balance of quiet days among the sociable ones as life seems to pause between solstice and new year.
Some lovely moments and memories ✨
“The period of waiting and expectancy to be found in Advent, is so easily eclipsed by the festive celebrations which begin so early, I fear many are weary of Christmas before it even begins”. Totally agree with what you said here, David. It seems like society celebrates Halloween on October 31st and then immediately the next day, the 1st of November is now the Christmas season. It seems like with each year, November is getting lost in the shuffle.
That is so interesting about the New Year and how it used to be on a different day! ✨
Thanks so much 🙏✨
Hmm, the most natural New Year to me was September, the academic year. It seemed like time to hunker down and get on with real life after the carefree days of summer. And, of course, new stationery! 🤓🤓
Yes, I think that’s me in my working life! 📚
Lovely read, I still align with the 1st of January and calendar year as a marker, but not in the way I used to. There’s too much pressure for many to take up resolutions and ‘being better’.
I didn’t realise New Year used to be a different date either! The idea of having it in March makes much more sense to me. Spring always feels like my new beginning in a bigger sense
There’s definitely a lot of ‘new year, new me’ hype around January 1st, but I agree, March makes much more sense 🌱
I love this time of the year but I really dislike the expectation and social pressure of New Year's Eve. Every time I say that I won't do anything special on that night, I have too meet looks of pity that people give me, as if I was an antisocial abandoned person. Last year, I took a frosty walk at the park on January 1st and I plan to do the same this year, it was so nice.
Here in Italy, we celebrate Epiphany on January 6th, the arrival of the three Kings with the presents for baby Jesus. Therefore, by tradition, the holidays end on January 6th and only after that date we take down all the decorations. I really enjoy this because I find it makes easier to settle in the new year. Another tradition was to wait December 8th, Immaculate Conception, to put up the tree but the last few years, with the influence of the American culture through the internet, people have started way earlier, even in November, with the decorations. My mum and I, however, kept this tradition and we decorate our family tree every December 8th.
Lovely traditions 🎄 Absolutely agree about New Year; it’s a sort of something and nothing 😂 We usually stay up until midnight, but in 41 years, I’ve never been out or done anything special 🙈