A Fresh Start

I am a big believer in fresh starts. There is something so empowering in watching the changes in yourself, to see how far you have come. A new year always brings these thoughts to mind. I like to think about where I was the year before, what I was doing and who I was.

I think that there are always little things in life that get to me. Years ago, I really needed a physical way to let go of some old heartbreak and so we started the tradition of burning them on New Years. It's something we've continued, this way we would have a fresh start for the new year. All of the things that gave us no end of grief the year before would not be brought into the new year. It's something I look forward to. For some reason, when I write something down and drop it in the flames, I really do feel lighter and better about the world. I don't have to let it bother me anymore.



We also celebrated the new year with my family at a party complete with fireworks (luckily they weren't like the ones a few years ago where what we thought were small sparklers ended up being much much bigger. I think I may have singed my eyebrows on that one). I was so amazed that the kids made it to midnight and were even happy to be there.

I tucked a dollar in my pocket (an old superstition of mine) and waited to count down to midnight to kiss my sweetheart. I have a good feeling about 2010. Honestly, 2009 was a good year for me. It brought many changes, unemployment, working multiple jobs, starting grad school but I think I'm finally realizing what makes me really happy. Here's to a hopeful, happy new year and letting go of the past.

Do you have any untraditional traditions like this one? How do you mark the new year?