Do you have any New Year’s Eve or New Year Traditions?

My family has made New Year resolutions, jumped into Lake Washington with thousands of others for Seattle’s New Year Polar Plunge at Mathews Beach, toasted sparkling cider, and watched the ball drop in New York on a laptop so we could get our son to bed early when he was little. 

Now, we have a noise-sensitive dog and we usually have a movie marathon going while we offer Willow snuggles, reassurances, and prescribed veterinary medication to help soothe her through the neighborhood fireworks of New Year’s Eve.

For the last several years I’ve also been doing a Word of the Year practice. I deeply think about what I want more of next year in a personal way. I invite this theme to show up in my life and be a guide in my day to day life throughout the year. This time of year I’m reflecting about my word of the past year and discerning next year’s word. 

If you do an internet search on your favorite browser for word of the year instead of resolution you find several articles and ideas to explore this New Year tradition.

However you celebrate, we wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

In gratitude, Leilani Davenberry

Photo Description: Lake Washington temperature check before the Polar Bear Plunge usually in the 40s