Celebrating the New Year without company — just the thought of it can terrify many. It seems that such a scenario suggests that something in our life has gone wrong, and we are struggling to find our companions — we write to friends whom we have never met for the whole outgoing year, we are going to visit our parents , knowing in advance that these gatherings will not end in anything good. But what if you still try to spend this main night of the year alone with yourself?
When there is less and less time left before the New Year, the pace of life noticeably accelerates. We fuss, trying to do everything in time: to close cases at work, to congratulate clients, in our free time to go shopping to find an outfit, buy gifts and necessary products — preparations for the holiday are in full swing.
And among the many questions that confront us on the eve of the New Year (what to wear, what to give, what to cook), one stands apart: with whom to celebrate? It is he who most worries many on New Year’s Eve.
This main holiday of the year also exacerbates the feeling of a milestone and a transition. We involuntarily begin to think: what have I achieved, where am I now, how did I use this year, what do I have now? Some questions cause us to feel deep dissatisfaction with ourselves and fear for the future. To this may be added irritation, pain, a feeling of loneliness, own uselessness, worthlessness.
Many do not want to face such thoughts and feelings and plunge into the New Year’s fuss and rush, hiding in the general noise and smiles, bowls of food and sparklers.
We can be angry at the world around us that it is unfair, or we can say goodbye to the idea that it owes us something.
We would not need to search so frantically with whom to celebrate the holiday, if it were not so scary to be alone with ourselves. But, alas, few people know how to be a friend to themselves — supporting and accepting. More often we are our own judges, critics, accusers. And who would want a forever judging friend?
However, if you celebrate the New Year alone, but not in the position of a victim, winding yourself up with negative forecasts and interpretations and condemning yourself, but from a position of care, interest and tenderness for yourself, this may be the starting point for the necessary changes. A new experience of meeting with ourselves, which happens when we are distracted from the surrounding noise and listen to our desires.
We can be angry at the world around us that it is unfair, or we can say goodbye to the idea that it owes us something, and stop expecting from it and those around us that they will come and save us from boredom, amuse and dispel. We can arrange our own holiday.
We can decorate the Christmas tree for ourselves and decorate the apartment. Put on a nice dress or comfortable pajamas, make a salad or order takeaway. We can choose to traditionally watch old movies or create our own ritual. We can say goodbye to the outgoing year: remember all the good things that were in it, about our successes, even small ones. And also about what we did not have time to do, what we failed to implement, in order to think about what we can learn and what to take into account in the future.
We can just dream and make plans, make wishes and think about the future. And for all this, we only need to hear our heart and follow its voice — and for this we are enough of ourselves.