Celebrating the New Year

This year has gone by quickly, and we will be celebrating the beginning of a new decade on January 1st when we ring in 2020.

When you ring in the new year, how will you celebrate? Many people will gather with friends and family whether this is a large or small group, at home or in the community. Some gatherings will involve invitations and planning, while other gatherings involve less planning when your company involves those you live with. Next question, do you have traditions of how and when you ring in the official new year at midnight, and who started those traditions? Lastly (and in my opinion the most important question) what is your preference for the type of gathering and what time you celebrate? The way we celebrate often changes as we grow older, we may experience moves, and our social circles change. Through experience we may learn more about our preferred way to celebrate. Are you a night-owl who likes to stay up late, or a morning-lark who prefers an earlier bedtime because you like to start your day early? Tuning into your needs and preferences can help you get the most enjoyment out of celebrations this year and years to come.  For example, night-owls may sleep in later the day of a celebration and rest before going so they can get the most out of late-night socializing. Morning-larks might talk to friends and family about their departure time plan if planning to leave earlier. Both examples are ways people can enjoy the quality of time together over quantity. After all, we all want to experience celebrations how the word celebration is defined: “ the action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasion by engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity. (Oxford Dictionary)

Happy  New Year!