December is full of reflections. In tinsel and baubles, in the sequins of party dresses. We make it to an imagined finishing line and immediately start a new personal race against our former selves.
And this is the first December of the decade we are not in or, at risk of, a lockdown. This is the first December where we could start to make BIG PLANS once more. But do we dare to dream again?
During the Decembers of 2020 and 2021 I found the lack of pressure on the idea of new year a kind of relief. The concept of a 5 year plan in the midst of a pandemic seemed ludicrous.
At the start of 2022 I had a vague feeling of looking forward to the chance of getting to do things again. From simple things like sitting in people’s houses to meeting people ‘IRL’ at last. To hoping for the return of gigs, of festivals. Of people, of the joy of being in spaces sharing a version of the same moment. I hoped to embrace opportunities to make new memories when they came along. This was coupled with a pandemic informed feeling of knowing that opportunities can disappear out of reach for reasons you simply cannot plan for. So…. carpe diem before someone or something else carpe’s it from you.
It’s a proper thrill to see people start to post their 2022 highlights online. The fact that we have been able to go back out into the world to make memories again is a joy we shouldn’t take for granted after the last 2 years. (Honestly some of the Facebook memories of 2020 and 2021 that pop up now are so bleak. Especially the long solo walks.) We will see more highlights than lowlights. And it’s helpful to remember that the lowlights are allowed to exist fully offline, hopefully with the support of people who can support us through those moments.
Then comes the reflections and resolutions. Hope isn’t all we have, but I hold it tighter each year, fully aware that December holds no super powers.
And on that note,
a poem…
See you in 2023.
Horace’ Seize the Moment
Ask, pray, what is our destined term of years
tis forbidden knowledge no longer
our five-year plans have ended in tears
as a concept, our one point five is squandered.
In the moment of our talking
envious time has ebbed away
and so our course remains walking
into ten of five-year conceptual plans.
Drink your wine; improve your wisdom;
learn to live for the moment:
simply and lovingly walk humbly on our earth
stand up for what we stand on.