The Christmas holidays are over.
The awkward, semi-obligatory family atmosphere: checked off.
Now drink champagne because that's what we should do, not because it's new, but because we do like it is.
Saying Happy New Year to people and hoping that is social enough for the time being was in touch.
And the coming week everyone best wishes, wishes, as if we were collectively the same follow script.
And that always brings me to the same thought.
I find it strange how we are looking forward to a new year.
As if tomorrow is fundamentally different from today.
As if the calendar corrects something that we have been putting off for months.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice to say you're going to do things differently.
More peace. Need less. Better food. Say no more often.
But I always think: why not just today?
What do I like about the new year?
That we will have a fireworks ban next year
At least, legal fireworks.
I like the idea, although I don't know if that really solves it.
At least a little for my puppy.
Less banging. Less stress. Fewer moments when you need to reassure.
What reassures me is that the shortest day has passed.
Not because we are finally “going in the right direction again” like that uncle always says.
You know him, that uncle.
For whom everything has been fixed for years.
And so winter should be something you want to get through as quickly as possible.
As if cold and dark were a mistake.
But the seasons also have their work to do.
Winter forces you to slow down.
To look more than to run forward.
And maybe that's not wrong.
And sometimes, just for a moment, when I close my eyes, I'm not concerned with all that.
Then I lie on a beach bed in Ibiza.
Sun on my face.
No good intentions.
Just today.
That doesn't try so hard to be something different than yesterday.
