New Year’s Eve

The last day. Only one like it each year, therefore special. A reset. But what actually changes, apart from the calendar? Long ago, our ancestors collectively agreed that this would be the final day of the year—and for some reason, we still celebrate it.

The big countdown, fireworks, concerts, champagne and other drinks, going out or partying at home until morning. With few exceptions, this is the global, standard way of “welcoming” the New Year. I’m not sure there’s any other day or event that’s celebrated more loudly worldwide.

I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with that. After all, do you really need a reason, a goal, or some deeper meaning just to have fun? An experience can be valuable in itself, regardless of the occasion. You might see no real sense in the celebration, yet still treat it as an opportunity to enjoy yourself—if the form of it gives you something positive. And that’s fine.

The question is how many of those celebrating are doing so out of genuine desire. The social pressure surrounding this day is enormous. You’re supposed to have plans. You’re supposed to go somewhere. You’re supposed to have fun. You’re supposed to post a photo. Are you really?

It’s not surprising that some people feel uncomfortable, given how invasive and imposing the form of celebration is. You may not want to take part in the game—but the game will still make itself known (unless you live somewhere truly remote).

But it’s not just about the intrusiveness. What really stands out to me is the lack of sensitivity to the consequences of this collective frenzy—and the broad social acceptance of it.

Fireworks. Spectacular, impressive, symbolic. Sure. But not for me. Not on this scale. The same scenario every year. Fires, burns, injuries to faces and hands, amputations, trauma. On this one night alone, firefighters and paramedics report hundreds of extra callouts.

For animals, it’s a night of panic. Birds take off from their resting places and crash into trees. Deer flee blindly. Dogs tremble. Cats hide under beds or run away from their homes. Shelters report spikes in missing animals and emergency calls.

I’m not in favor of bans for the sake of bans. But I’m glad this conversation is shifting in some countries. Quieter, controlled displays in designated areas—this isn’t an attack on freedom, but an attempt to reconcile celebration with responsibility.

I won’t even get into the role alcohol plays in all of this. Enough said.

Not long ago, I was part of it myself, but with time I’ve noticed the aura of that day fading for me. The obligatory euphoria doesn’t convince me—especially the way it’s expressed. A day that was once anticipated becomes, for me, one of those that you simply tick off.

So how do I treat this day, and how do I spend it? I don’t feel any need to celebrate—much like most fixed, set holidays (even my own birthday). It’s a day like any other (aside from worse sleep and shops and restaurants closing earlier).

I also don’t feel that the new year changes anything, and I don’t need a change of date to change something in my life. I don’t expect things to shift on their own if I don’t put in the effort to make them change.

New Year’s resolutions? Maybe they come from noble motives to change for the better, but reality usually verifies them quickly. Especially deceptive are the ones announced publicly—they offer a reward, a sense of psychological relief, before any real action is taken.

Still, the final days of the year (not just the very last one) aren’t entirely meaningless to me. I use this time for reflection, for summing up the past year, and for loosely outlining the next. A year is a reasonable, measurable unit for evaluating your actions with some distance and comparing them year to year.

That said, I’m not a fan of detailed planning for the year ahead, because I know much of it will change along the way. The list of things I’d like to do remains open-ended.

Even if it’s less productive, I like making my year-end top lists: moments, places, films, series, books, and so on. I always learn something more about myself. And that’s ultimately why these moments are captured—so they can be returned to someday, and the end of the year is a good time for that.

I like to enter the new year feeling fresh and healthy. Tomorrow: the usual morning workout. And for some reason, I’m more excited about it than I normally am.