Manuela, I think we really benefit in the antipodes from having new year's in the summer. Its the middle of the long summer holidays, there is lots to do, the weather is good. Less thinking, more outside time certainly helps.
Hi Manuela, I saw your post earlier in the week, but I waited because I like to savor yours :). I love this quote. As a seeker of answers and someone who has been working on impatience and perfectionism most of my life, I'm barely seeing the light on the benefits of just living everything now. Yet, we cannot hold up our optimism all the time. In the living of everything now, there are some days or periods where we collapse into the dark spaces. I think the threshold of old to new is actually a quite normal place to do that - and as you have read, I have struggled with that as well. Thank you for sharing those beautiful self-portraits and a little bit about where the light fails to fall for you. I truly do see in all what you write, that you are trying to be patient "toward all that is unsolved..." Perhaps I waxed too philosophical here, but your writing can do that to me :). I look forward to reading more this year!
As someone also living in the far north, I surely believe the darkness at this time of year doesn’t help with mood or motivation. I hope a day in your near future filled with that gorgeous blue-only-winter-skies-can-have will help you on your way over your hill. Looking forward to your work this year…. 💜
The transition from the old year to the new feels to me like the arrival of a new day. Perhaps the reason I love late evenings the most is that everything that needed to be done during the day has already been done. Maybe it hasn’t, but I certainly won’t be doing it now. On the contrary, mornings bring new expectations. Perhaps that’s where the feelings you described originate.
And yes, it’s important to be comfortable with the questions hovering over us, even when we don’t know the answers. Yet, at the same time, it’s wise to trust that we’ll recognize the answer when it reveals itself, at the moment we’re ready for it.
Thanks for sharing! It’s funny, early mornings are my favorite time of day, but early January my least favorite time of the year. Usually it takes me a few days, but I will have a better perspective soon. :)
I like how you bring the focus back to the now, which is, as you say, all we have, all we can control. I've found that expressing that anxiety in words, as opposed to holding it silently, causes a tiny shift. Something loosens, and it starts to feel less oppressive. We come back around then, as you did here, to the present moment. Tiny shifts can create big ripples.
I love these new images! The light on your hand and the tree pulls me in. I can almost feel the warmth of it. So deep and inspiring. Big hugs to you.
I know exactly how you feel! I also try not to be stressed out about hearing everyone‘s New Year’s resolutions and not to feel lazy or not ambitious enough because not having any myself… 🙈
I mean, it’s not that I can’t think of anything…:) It’s just that resolutions don’t work for me, but focusing on the present moment and moving one step at a time does, so that’s what I am trying to do.
Happy New Year to you!!
Daily walks certainly help to get through the blues. :)
I love "Live the questions now."
Great post.
Thank you, Dan!
Manuela, I think we really benefit in the antipodes from having new year's in the summer. Its the middle of the long summer holidays, there is lots to do, the weather is good. Less thinking, more outside time certainly helps.
I can definitely see that. It actually sounds nice to have a long Christmas and New Year’s break in the summer time. Enjoy!
Hi Manuela, I saw your post earlier in the week, but I waited because I like to savor yours :). I love this quote. As a seeker of answers and someone who has been working on impatience and perfectionism most of my life, I'm barely seeing the light on the benefits of just living everything now. Yet, we cannot hold up our optimism all the time. In the living of everything now, there are some days or periods where we collapse into the dark spaces. I think the threshold of old to new is actually a quite normal place to do that - and as you have read, I have struggled with that as well. Thank you for sharing those beautiful self-portraits and a little bit about where the light fails to fall for you. I truly do see in all what you write, that you are trying to be patient "toward all that is unsolved..." Perhaps I waxed too philosophical here, but your writing can do that to me :). I look forward to reading more this year!
I always love your thoughts about my writing! So, keep them coming… and I appreciate everything you are saying here.
I guess, I sometimes can be philosophical myself. I am married to a philosopher, so you can imagine. :))
Two people that think way too much… Sigh! It can be a lot. :)
ha ha!! I get that!
As someone also living in the far north, I surely believe the darkness at this time of year doesn’t help with mood or motivation. I hope a day in your near future filled with that gorgeous blue-only-winter-skies-can-have will help you on your way over your hill. Looking forward to your work this year…. 💜
Thank you! Yes. I will get over these blues. Getting back into a routine is helpful.
The transition from the old year to the new feels to me like the arrival of a new day. Perhaps the reason I love late evenings the most is that everything that needed to be done during the day has already been done. Maybe it hasn’t, but I certainly won’t be doing it now. On the contrary, mornings bring new expectations. Perhaps that’s where the feelings you described originate.
And yes, it’s important to be comfortable with the questions hovering over us, even when we don’t know the answers. Yet, at the same time, it’s wise to trust that we’ll recognize the answer when it reveals itself, at the moment we’re ready for it.
Wishing you all the best in 2025!
Thanks for sharing! It’s funny, early mornings are my favorite time of day, but early January my least favorite time of the year. Usually it takes me a few days, but I will have a better perspective soon. :)
I like how you bring the focus back to the now, which is, as you say, all we have, all we can control. I've found that expressing that anxiety in words, as opposed to holding it silently, causes a tiny shift. Something loosens, and it starts to feel less oppressive. We come back around then, as you did here, to the present moment. Tiny shifts can create big ripples.
I love these new images! The light on your hand and the tree pulls me in. I can almost feel the warmth of it. So deep and inspiring. Big hugs to you.
I think this is one of my goals for this year: always coming back to the present moment.
Planning and goals are important, but returning to today and now is definitely a healthy way to live life.
Thanks for your kind words!
Love this and completely understand how you feel. I also really loved the cover photograph "Hiding". Hugs Manuela.
Thank you so much, Shital!
I know exactly how you feel! I also try not to be stressed out about hearing everyone‘s New Year’s resolutions and not to feel lazy or not ambitious enough because not having any myself… 🙈
I mean, it’s not that I can’t think of anything…:) It’s just that resolutions don’t work for me, but focusing on the present moment and moving one step at a time does, so that’s what I am trying to do.
Happy New Year to you!!
Daily walks certainly help to get through the blues. :)
a virtual hug to help you with the january blues
Thank you! Give me one more week and I will be back to normal.
Beautiful post. 🤍 I understand your feeling towards new year. For me it’s every year some kind of pressure making the best out of the new year.
Thank you so much!