New Year’s: A Global Celebration of Time

The significance of the new year runs deep and wide

The New Year is upon us, with 2025 awaiting us with open arms. While it may be a fresh year, the ways in which our society views the new year is annually consistent. We tend to view each new approaching January as a “clean slate” filled with hope, motivation and anticipations for becoming a better person, with midnight indicating the start time for the new and improved us. Stores will market their yoga mats and meditation pillows, their weights and water bottles, their self-help books and journals. But its true significance dates back thousands of years, before marketing ever attempted to shape our perceptions of what a new year really means.

This newsletter, let’s take a peek back in history and explore why New Year’s is such a globally celebrated milestone that holds deep cultural, social, and personal significance.

MONTHLY FEATURES

Book:
Atomic Habits

This book by James Clear is an excellent and highly interesting read for anyone looking for motivation as the new year approaches.

Quote

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

– Thomas Jefferson

Wishing a Happy New Year to all of our CTC families! We look back on the progress of so many of our little friends and feel truly blessed. We’re excited to see where 2025 will take us!

The Historical and Cultural Significance of the New Year

Why the past and future are vital to our present

New Year’s is in no way new. Looking back thousands of years, the celebration of the new year was present in a variety of cultures and in a myriad of ways.

The earliest recorded New Year celebrations occurred in Mesopotamia around 2000 BCE. The Babylonians marked the new year during the Akitu festival in mid-March, coinciding with the spring equinox. This event honored the rebirth of the natural world and their gods. In ancient Egypt, the new year was tied to the annual flooding of the Nile, which brought fertility and abundance. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, making January 1 the start of the new year. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of doors, beginnings, and time, symbolizing transitions. Janus is often depicted with two faces; one looking back at the past and the other gazing forward into the future.

Throughout history, different cultures have marked the New Year with unique traditions. The Chinese New Year, for example, is based on the lunar calendar and involves customs designed to bring good fortune, such as cleaning the house and sharing feasts with loved ones. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, emphasizes self-reflection, prayer, and renewal.

Despite differing traditions and perceptions of the new year, its celebration transcends cultural and geographical boundaries because it taps into a fundamental human desire: the hope for a better future. The changing of the calendar is a symbolic moment, offering a clean slate and a chance to let go of past mistakes or regrets. This sense of renewal fosters optimism and inspires people to envision new possibilities.

While it’s clear that New Year’s has a strong historical and communal background, it can also feel quite individualistic. Many people become introspective and review their accomplishments and challenges from the previous year, evaluating their personal growth and identifying areas for improvement. This reflection lays the groundwork for setting goals and making resolutions—a practice that dates back to ancient traditions like the Babylonian promise to return borrowed items and repay debts.

While the success rate of New Year’s resolutions is notoriously low- faithful gym-goers like to crack jokes about how empty the gym is come February- the act of setting intentions is still meaningful. It encourages mindfulness and a proactive approach to life. Even if goals are not fully achieved, the act of setting intentions increases self-awareness and the effort to strive toward them can lead to progress and self-discovery.

As the year comes to a close, it is a meaningful practice to consider both sides of Janus’s face, one looking back and the other looking forward. Perhaps regrets about what we may or may not have done in the course of one year set in, but that’s not the only intention of reflecting on past events; it is also a practice of gratitude for what we have experienced. Looking forward can often feel easier, lighter. It’s why New Year’s Eve has a feeling of buoyancy- the prospects of a brighter, healthier and more abundant new year can make you feel as bubbly as the glass of prosecco you may be holding when the clock strikes midnight. If you remove the pressure of striving for perfection, knowing at your core that to be a good person there will always be room for improvement, you may as well envision Janus with a third side of his face, one that sees only the moment that he’s in, and say…“Cheers!”

Winter Crafts for Indoors

These cute ideas from the Glued to My Crafts blog can keep little ones entertained in cold temps!

Thumbprint Snowman Frame

This cute craft can be used to decorate your home each winter season.

Fork Painted Polar Bear

This fun option using a fork to apply the bear’s fur is easy and less messy than finger painting!

Popsicle Stick Penguins

Your little one’s fine motor skills will benefit from this adorable activity.

Let’s Talk About Resolutions!

Ideas to influence and encourage the 2025 you

While making resolutions for the new year is certainly not necessary, doing so can honor the origins of this holiday while stimulating self-reflection and expanding our boundaries. The following is a list of resolution ideas- some traditional, some unique- that can get you thinking about how you want to start off 2025.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

– Explore a New Skill Every Month: Dedicate each month to learning something new—calligraphy, playing an instrument, tennis, crocheting, or baking, to name a few possibilities.

– Start a Gratitude Jar: Write down one thing you’re grateful for every day and read them at the end of the year. This is a wonderful idea for the whole family as well!

– Say Yes to Something Unexpected: Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone by saying yes to opportunities that scare or excite you. This could be social events with a new group of people, an adventure sport, or trying a new and unique food.

Mindfulness and Mental Well-being

– Digital Detox Hours: Set a daily or weekly time to unplug from screens and engage in offline activities like reading, journaling, or walking.

– Practice Mindful Eating: Slow down during meals to savor the flavors, textures, and smells of your food.

– Write a Love Letter to Yourself: Reflect on your strengths, growth, and qualities in a heartfelt letter to read on tough days.

Community and Connection

– Support a Local Cause Monthly: Volunteer or donate to a different charity, nonprofit, or community group each month.

– Call a Friend: Dial a friend instead of texting at some point each week to talk. It’s a good reminder that good relationships require good effort.

– Host a Cultural Exchange Potluck: Invite friends or neighbors to share dishes, music, or traditions from their backgrounds.

Adventure and Experiences

– Visit a New Place Every Month: It could be a local park, a museum, or a weekend getaway to a nearby town.

– Try One “Extreme” Activity: Push your boundaries by trying something bold, like zip-lining, rock climbing, or scuba diving.

– Create a “Reverse Bucket List”: Reflect on all the amazing things you’ve already done instead of focusing on what’s left to achieve.

Content of this newsletter was written by:
Megan A. Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP

Please contact Megan with any questions or comments at: megan@ctctherapy.com

www.ChildrensTherapyConnections.com