New Year’s Eve celebrations are full of symbolism. The festivities incorporate promises for new beginnings, hope for the future, and reflections about the year that has passed. The baby new year symbol represents new beginnings. It means a chance to start over and set new goals for the next year in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. The Father Time image represents the year that has passed. Father Time means a chance to let go of the past.
Many New Year’s Eve celebrations worldwide include fireworks. The explosions are a symbol of time passing and announce the arrival of the new year. Other countries have their own New Year’s Eve traditions. For example, in Jewish traditions, the celebration incorporates the playing of the shofar. The shofar is the ram’s horn trumpet that ancient Jews used to start religious ceremonies, such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The shofar was also a battle signal to ancient Jews, as in the battle of Jericho. As every Sunday school child knows, the shofar trumpeting for seven days brought down the walls of Jericho.
Starting at midnight in Spain, people eat 12 grapes for luck, one by one, while the bell tolls. Each of the 12 grapes represents a month in the new year. The challenge is to eat all 12 grapes before the last bell tolls and the new year begins. If the participants finish all 12 grapes before the end of the bells, they will face a prosperous new year. If they are unsuccessful, misfortune awaits in the new year.
Letting Go Before the New Year
The practice known as “letting go before the New Year” has its roots in several ancient traditions. For example, in Ireland, people traditionally open all doors and windows at midnight on New Year’s Day to let out all the old energy and invite in the luck from the new year. In ancient Italy, people threw old and unwanted items out of their windows to let go of the past and make room for good luck in the new year.
In Scotland and Northern England, the ancient New Year’s tradition is known as “first footing.” The first person who sets foot into the home after the start of the New Year brings luck to the household. The luckiest first footer was a tall, dark man. The first footer can be a family member or a friend, but the luckiest is a stranger. Also, the first footer must not arrive empty-handed. Empty-handed first footers bring bad luck. The gifts the stranger brings symbolize prosperity and health for the home. Examples of these traditional gifts the stranger brings are:
- Silver coins for prosperity
- Shortbread to ensure food and good cheer
- Salt for a flavorful life
- A lump of coal for a warm hearth,
- A dram (shot) of whiskey for hospitality.
In return for his gifts, the head of the household must host the first footer with food treats and whiskey.
The ancient traditions are fun to preserve. In modern times, however, people make secular, self-improvement promises that represent the modern focus on mental and emotional health. The New Year is thought of as a good time to reflect on the successes and failures of the old year. It is a good time to learn the lessons the old year taught. People also decide what burdens they will release by letting go before the New Year. Collectively, this tradition is known as self-reflection.
The second modern tradition involves burning. People write down on paper all the bad habits, resentments, and hardships they want to leave behind. Then, they burn the paper as a symbol of releasing the past with all its negative energy. The burning is an emotional release.
The third modern adaptation of “letting go” embraces decluttering the home before the New Year. It symbolizes decluttering the mind for mental clarity while making room for new experiences and creating new goals.
In some cultures, people symbolize letting go by cutting the cord. In practice, the person either visualizes a cord or physically uses a string to symbolize the ties to a person, the past, or a stressful situation. When the person cuts the cord, they cut ties and let go of the past.
Also, blowing sage smoke is part of some release rituals. This practice is known as smudging. Smudging purifies the air and releases negativity. Burning sage creates a calm space by calming the nervous system, reducing anxiety, and elevating mood. Some science exists behind smudging to purify the air. Sage exhibits antimicrobial properties that clear the air of bacteria and other negative pathogens. It also repels insects. In some rituals, burning sage is used to cleanse the spirit.
Emotional Renewal Before the New Year
New Year’s Resolutions incorporate emotional release and renewal through self-compassion, such as establishing:
- A gratitude journal – each day, write down three things for which you are thankful
- Mindfulness practices – dedicate a few minutes each day to quiet contemplation and deep breathing (in some countries, people ritually shave their heads to represent a new start after the mourning process)
- A consistent sleep schedule that prioritizes restorative sleep
- Acting kindly toward oneself and accepting that failures and mistakes are a normal part of humanity
- Electronic downtime – limit the number of hours of social media and other screen time
- Setting realistic goals
- Developing a robust support system that includes your faith community
- Getting professional help with your mental health journey when needed.
New Year’s Resolutions also provide the opportunity for renewing personal relationships by being available to focus on time with loved ones. Emotional release and renewal may also include volunteering time to causes that lift your spirit. Learn to say “no.” That is, set boundaries to avoid overwhelming feelings because you oversold the time you had to give to projects. In addition, learn to ask for help from family, friends, or a therapist to provide emotional support.
You might be surprised to find the level of emotional renewal that comes from simple activities, like:
- Walks in the woods or at the beach to recharge your soul
- Daily exercise. Studies show that daily exercise is related to mental health
- Spending time on creative projects, such as painting, ceramics, music, or writing. The arts help manage stress levels as they boost creativity
- Focusing on self-care: eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep, reducing stress through gentle stretches and guided imagery
Releasing the Past Rituals Are Significant
Releasing the past rituals on New Year’s Eve is significant because the release provides a sense of closure and completion of things on the yearly to-do list. The burning of the list of bad habits and resentments is a good example of such a release. Another option is the water ceremony, where negativity and past experiences are released into a body of water or a bath. By releasing the old rituals, you create space for new thoughts, new emotional and mental health aspirations. Releasing the past rituals demonstrates your intent to move on with a positive frame of mind and a focus on emotional renewal. It also shows a period of self-reflection in which you decided to let go of the things that no longer serve your purposes.
The Role of Faith and Reflection
The Bible says that faith and reflection work in tandem. Faith without reflection stops flowing. Reflection without faith is infertile.
Faith is a person’s belief in God and in His plans for humankind. Reflection refers to the faithful person’s mindful examination of his personal faith and of the Word. In other words, reflection applies faith to the person’s life, creating a more alive belief.
The Bible also says that faith and reflection are pivotal to enlightenment. Faith and reflection help faithful followers to study their lives, deepen their personal trust in God, and understand Him better.
Reflection can take place through prayer and by studying the scriptures. Reflection embraces self-awareness to identify weaknesses at the spiritual level. God welcomes people with spiritual weaknesses to return to the faith community and to God’s fold.
Choosing a Mental Health Therapist That is Right For You
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Call us to discuss the wide range of service options we have available, such as individual and group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and child and adolescent therapy. Your therapist will tailor a treatment plan that suits your needs and your goals.
