New Year, New Me

I'm not a fan of New Year's Eve.

Being an introspective person, I have a tendency to get a bit morose at this time of year. Bogged down in the guilt of what I didn't do, didn't say over the past few months.

Going through some papers today, however, I found a piece I wrote a couple of years ago which offers a better alternative than focusing on what might have been. So I'll repeat it here because I think it bears repeating. To myself, at least.

It's a new year. Where are the party pictures?

The short answer is: I don't have any. Because for me, this is not what the new year is about. Rather, it is about taking some time to think about who I am, what I like about myself, and what I want to do differently.

It's a chance to turn the page, to start fresh. To be a better person. To take time to listen. To stop being so serious and learn to play.

To be present and experience life.

It's a new year. A chance to become a new me.