Well, what a year 2020 was and I bet the majority of people were glad to see the end of it. From a world perspective, pandemics just royally suck. The ever-present underlying danger and constant restrictions (and changes to restrictions) are stressful and left me personally longing for ‘normality’. What I’d give for a Miller and Carter sirloin and the beef nacho starter… (not an advertisement, other steakhouses are available, but I do covet M&C). From a gaming point of view; well I’ll just say Cyberpunk and leave it there.

I am thankful for some aspects of 2020 as it’s given me more time at home with JC and with the fur-kids. Less time commuting should have been gained time personally but the workload we’ve had has just been immense. I’m pretty sure I’ve never worked as hard or thought outside the box so much in my life!

Anyway, to the title and topic of the post. So basically, my confession is – it’s New Year, but I don’t buy into wishing people a ‘Happy New Year’. I know that sounds miserable and kind of bah-humbug in a non-Christmas way, but bear with me. So, it’s not that I don’t want people to be happy, I do; we all deserve happiness. My argument is twofold.

Picture of a computer style notification saying 'It's ok if it's not (or won't be) a 'happy' New Year. The button options are 'OK' or 'it will be'.
Just a little reminder for those who need it (me included).

Firstly, it’s from personal experience. In the past, and this year to be fair, I’ve had people wishing me a Happy New Year. I’ve no problem with this, it can be overused and diluted if I’m being completely honest. However, it’s on the whole thoughtful, not necessarily literal in terms of the meaning of ‘happy’ and genuinely meant (and of course the done, sociable thing at this time of year). However, the issue is I KNOW it’s not going to be a happy new year, or even a happy year for me; and my issues compared to some people’s are trivial. If you’ve got a chronic illness that keeps getting worse, it’s not going to be a happy new year. If you’ve got loved ones ill who can’t be cured, it’s not going to be happy. Maybe someone is in a bad situation that they can’t get out of; be it a volatile home, an abusive relationship or if your health or mental health isn’t in a good place. Being wished a ‘Happy New Year’ can sometimes feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth. None of this even includes thinking about the current pandemic and the fact things are worsening at the moment (or at least they are in this neck of the woods) and how that affects people differently.

I just want to reiterate that I have no issue at all with anyone wishing me or others a Happy New Year at this point, no matter how it comes across! 😂 I’m not suggesting anyone should stop saying it either. It’s just from personal experience; when I’ve had it said to me and I know it’s not going to be, it can be hard to swallow and doesn’t necessarily leave you feeling great. So I’m just mindful of it when I’m having conversations or posting online. It would have been nice for someone to say or acknowledge that actually; for some, it might not be a good or happy start to the new year, or a good or happy new year all round – but that’s ok. Maybe all you can do is the best you can with your situation and to be frank, the best isn’t that great, that’s ok too. That’s why I’m writing this now, in case someone stumbles across this and needs to see it. 🙂 Future me might also need to read this next year depending on how 2021 goes!

My second argument around it is that there are so many better things that could be said. ‘Happy’ is so generic and as I’ve mentioned above can be a delicate issue. How about wishing an artist a productive new year, a small business owner a profitable new year or a gamer a bountiful new year (I admit I struggled for gamer, it depends what you play!).

Or how about based on how terrible 2020 was in general, we just wish for a better year than last year. After all, it can’t get much worse? <Cue a natural disaster.>

Anyway, I’m going to use the new year to take stock (please don’t get me started on what’s wrong with New Year’s Resolutions!), and get back on track with hobbies and writing. I’m currently engaged in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla completion warfare with JC though, but more on that next time.

However the new year finds you, I wish you well and that it’s the best year it can be for you and your circumstances whatever they may be. ‘Happy New Year’ is a bit more succinct than that I guess, maybe that’s why we use it instead!