The old year has just ended, and without much hesitation, the next one begins. A second after midnight, the day changes, and generally, this isn’t a remarkable event. But for some reason, we have decided that this transition—the end of one year and the beginning of the next—is truly special. On this day, many people look back, reflect, and think about how the past year went for them.
The Same Every Year
Every year, people around the world celebrate December 31 with enthusiasm. And it’s undeniable that the celebrations are impressive. For many, however, January 1 or 2 is just another day to return to the daily grind. The truth is, you have to get dressed, brush your teeth, and, in many cases, go to work.
I think for many people, this day represents hope. Perhaps the past year had its ups and downs. Perhaps people in their close circle got sick or someone even passed away. That could be one of the many challenges the year brought. In any case, there remains hope that the new year will bring us the energy to keep going.
I believe people celebrate New Year’s with full passion because it gives them the chance to let go of the frustrations of the past year and welcome a fresh start with open arms. For many, this means setting resolutions. The chance to start from scratch is a dream, and many people have goals they want to achieve.
Many people reconsider some of their life choices. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to tackle the changes they’ve planned but never executed. Some people take this chance to set a new goal, like giving up a bad habit or starting a healthier lifestyle, such as quitting smoking or losing weight.
Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are forgotten or abandoned by mid-January. The key, then, is to set small, manageable goals that are easy to stick to and maintain.
This year, I began to wonder: Why does the start of the new year hold such special symbolism? And why is this celebration so widespread around the world?
Maybe the symbolism we attach to this moment comes from one of the most powerful drives of all living beings: survival! Could it be? Another year of living, surviving…is that the reason?
I understand the reason for the celebration. Don’t get me wrong; I am also someone who celebrates this day with great enthusiasm. We celebrate having experienced another 365 days, which is an achievement in itself.
Good Luck Rituals
But let’s get back to resolutions—what’s so important about them? Is it also about survival?
New Year’s resolutions are examples of our desire to gain control over what lies ahead. Control, because the future is unsettling, and no one knows what will happen. Not knowing what’s coming means we don’t know what we need to feel safe. So, to gain a sense of control, we make lists.
We decide to change certain things, to eat better, to exercise—whatever we need. Making these resolutions, even if only for a while, gives us a sense of control over the uncertain days ahead.
Interestingly, New Year’s resolutions often also include things like treating people better, finding new friends, and paying off debts.
This has been the case throughout history. The Babylonians returned borrowed items. Jews seek and grant forgiveness.
There are hundreds of good luck rituals integrated into New Year’s celebrations.
For example, the Japanese host Bonenkai, “Forget-the-Year” parties, bid farewell to the past year’s problems and worries, and prepare for a better new year.
The Greeks bake Vasilopita cakes with a coin inside; whoever gets the slice with the coin is said to have good luck in the coming year.
It’s truly fascinating to see how widespread this is: fireworks lighting up the sky, good luck rituals, and resolutions to give us the illusion of control over the future. Everywhere, New Year’s is a time to reflect on our weaknesses and think about how to reduce the vulnerabilities that make us susceptible. It’s really interesting to see what special traditions people have to celebrate this unique transition from one day to the next.
