For as much I love Christmas and all the build up of festivities to the big day, I am completely indifferent to New Year’s Eve.
Always have been.
When I was much younger, I might have made plans that involved pre-booking extortionately priced tickets just to gain entry to my local pub.
I’d arrive in a taxi that was charging triple fare and would sip drinks that were heavily watered down, after having fought my way 5-deep to the bar.
The whole evening would cost about a month’s salary so there is no surprise that the pressure to have the BEST.NIGHT.OF.YOUR.LIFE. was immense. And, not for me.
I really do not like big crowds; I do not like being pushed or shoved and I do not like queuing for more than 45-seconds to use the ladies. This is the same reason that I do not like to attend concerts or shudder, festivals…
So, for many years now I have shunned the traditional Big Night Out and firework displays in favour of a night alone in front of the box, watching Jools Holland with a big glass of red and a take-away.
When I met the Greek God(zilla), I was nervous about our first New Year’s Eve together. I did not want him to think I was a total party pooper, but the thought of having to get excited about where we would go out that evening made me want to stick my fingers down my throat and feign a 24-hour tummy bug.
It was his friend who broke the ‘bad’ news to me first.
He thought that I would be disappointed.
But as it turns out, I was absolutely delighted to learn that the Greek God(zilla) hated New Year’s Eve as much as I do and all he likes to do is stay home with a take away, a bottle of red and watch Jools Holland too. Score!
So, that has become our new tradition on New Year’s Eve now. I think I have only managed to stay awake until midnight on one occasion.
Most often, we celebrate with a big lunch and a long walk on New Year’s Day instead.
Although, as one year ends and another begins, it naturally brings about a time of reflection.
It has been a rather odd year. There have been significant high moments but sadly, lots of low times too.
I try to remain positive, hopeful.
That is my coping mechanism.
Sometimes, it is easier said than done.
But as I look back on 2012, and the many challenges it has thrown our way, of this much I am sure:
Do not take anything for granted
Not life, death or love. Not health, wealth or happiness. Not people, relationships or friends. Everything can change in a heartbeat and you just never know when or where or what or to who.
Some people will just never get you
And this is ok.
Of course it would be lovely if everyone liked you, understood where you were coming from and had your back.
But, this will never be the way. Don’t waste your energy trying to change someone’s opinion of you.
You are not a bad person. It does not matter. Let it go.
There are some people you will just never get
This is ok too. It would be boring if we all thought and felt the same way about everything. So long as they are not hurting anyone, just let them continue about their business and walk on by.
I am not interested in being judged
Life is hard enough as it is. I am doing the best I can.
We all do things differently – my way does not make your way wrong and vice versa.
Blogging is not all I first thought it was
Don’t get me wrong, I love writing Grenglish. I really really do.
But, the deeper I immerse myself into the blogging community, the more disillusioned about it I become.
Maybe I am starting to feel about it now the same way I do about New Year’s Eve – bit crowded, bit too much pushing & shoving to get to the front, bit too much pressure to be ‘seen’ and the general feeling that the in-crowd are all off hanging out together at a much cooler party elsewhere 😉
It’s ok though. As I said before, I am much more comfortable in smaller groups doing my own thing and will keep on plodding away on my little blog for as long as you all keep on wanting to read it.
Parenting is a privilege but can be hard work sometimes
Oh boy, can it be.
Resist the urge to let yourself feel smug or superior for even a milisecond as it will come back to bite you on the arse tenfold
Manage to potty train in 3-days? Resist telling everyone how brilliant you are and how amazingly advanced your child genius must obviously be… as sods law, 2 days later he will poop his pants in the middle of a pub, which in your haste to remove will smear all over his clothes on the day you did not bring a spare change. Not feeling so smug now are we… (in my defense, I was unprepared for the exploding variety, had it been a regular movement I would have been, like, totally prepared, natch)
You get back what you put in
Sadly, not in terms of finances is my personal experience, but definitely in terms of most other things.
A smile goes a long way
Be nice. Frowning gives you wrinkles.
Wishing all my lovely readers a very Merry New Year and much love, luck and happiness for 2013.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
Featured image courtesy of bbc.co.uk
I’m exactly the same about New Years Eve, I think I’ve only ever gone out twice and found it really overrated and expensive, especially when you have to call the locksmith out at 3am as you’ve locked yourself out.
Tonight my plans include a takeaway, some wine and my family coming over.
Have a lovely 2013 xxx
Author
Oh my goodness, locking yourself out is not the best start to the new year!
Happy New Year to you xx
This post brought tears to my eyes because its so wonderful and wise! Love it and love your blog. Loved you when we met too! Happy New Year x
Author
For some reason you ended up in my spam! Thank you lovely and back atcha x
Hear hear my darling. Smudger – this is brilliant. I love you dearly. Have a good one – here’s to a large glass of red (you) and of white (me) sometime soon in 2013.
Nxx
PS Please don’t stop blogging – I love reading you – it warms the cockles, raises a smile and is generally good for the soul 🙂
Author
thank you lovely, look forward to catching up again in 2013 xx
True Dat.
A good post for the year end. Loved reading it – thank you.
Wishing you a Happy 2013!
Author
Thanks Gemma, wishing you a Happy 2013 too 🙂
Sarah, what a lovely post..all so true. We have had articularly pants christmas, had flu for a week now so quiet n.y.e for us too x
Author
Oh no, that is not good! Hope you are all on the mend now xx
Your comments will ring in my ears later as I am elbowing people at a bar with my £15 entry ticket to the EDT! On the upside, I will be getting the bus there and have a bed with my name on it on the Lane so will smugly be avoiding a taxi. But, as you say my smugness will come back to bite me in the ass so I am likely to have my handbag nicked – damn!
Happy New Years! 🙂
Update: I managed to keep a hold of my handbag all night but did lose my glasses! They have truned up the next day but scratched to heck!! Oh dear!
Author
HAHA but was it worth it Chloe???
You are lovely. I think you have the best attitude to life that anyone can have. And to blogging, come to that :))
Sausages and wine in the New Year – want to come here or shall we come to you? I will make it happen, whether you want it to or not 😉
Author
Yes, let’s do it in 2013!!
I loved reading this. And my child also pooed her pants today! As well as peeing on the carpet. Happy new year, mummy!
PS: we’re the cool kids… at the cool party necking rose 😉
I would like to be at the party with the 2 of you too please, necking rose 🙂 xx
Author
Please can we arrange a date soon to go out and neck rose again????!! xx
Hi Grenglish. This is one of those blog posts I wish I’d written. I can relate to so many of your sentiments (which you always manage to put into words so well). Especially re: the blogging world. I love reading your blog. I hope you and your lovely family have a fantastic 2013!
Author
Thank you so much and same back to you x
2 glasses of wine and in bed with my book at 11.30! I loved my new years eve!
xxx
Author
It’s what all the cool kids do… xx
Fab post! Happy New Year! I don’t like NYE mush either – was in bed before midnight – and totally with you on the blogging front! Love your attitude lovely lady! XXX
Author
thank you, happy 2013 xx
Amen!
I love your blog and read it with pleasure, but I know what you mean about the pushing and shoving in the blogosphere. It bores me.
You know what? Because we have a fun life 365 days of the year, the 31st I’d December is just a night like all the others. Cin cin and happy new year!
Author
Happy New Year to you too lovely x