December 30th is such a strange day, isn’t it? It’s not quite the end, but it doesn’t feel like the beginning either. It’s like the year itself is holding its breath, waiting for the clock to strike midnight and give everyone permission to start over.
I woke up this morning with that odd mix of emotions that only comes at this time of year. Should I feel nostalgic about the 364 days I’ve just lived, or motivated by the fresh start ahead? Should I dive into reflection, listing all my highs and lows? Or should I make plans and promises for the new year, knowing full well I might break half of them before February?
The Weight of One Day
There’s so much pressure on how we’re supposed to end a year. Social media tells us to celebrate in style, with glittery parties or profound captions about growth and resilience. Friends ask about plans like it’s a test you didn’t study for: “So, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?”
The truth is, I don’t know. And honestly, I’m not sure I want to do anything monumental. This year was a lot, some good, some bad, and plenty in between. I’m not sure how to honor it, and I definitely don’t know how to say goodbye to it.
How Do People Really Feel?
I wonder how other people handle this limbo day. Are they brimming with hope, ready to tackle the next chapter of their lives? Or are they sitting quietly, reflecting on what they’ve gained and lost? Maybe some are just relieved to see the year go, while others cling to the moments they wish could last longer.
For me, December 30th feels like standing in a hallway, peeking back at the door I’ve just walked through while nervously eyeing the one ahead. It’s not a comfortable place to be, but it’s necessary. You can’t move forward without acknowledging where you’ve been.
What If We Let It Be Simple?
Maybe the trick isn’t to force meaning into the end of the year. Maybe it’s okay if December 30th is just another day—a day to breathe, to exist, to let yourself feel however you need to feel. Nostalgic, excited, overwhelmed, hopeful, or even just… tired.
Because the truth is, the new year doesn’t erase the old one. January 1st doesn’t magically fix everything. It’s just a continuation of the story, another page in the messy, beautiful book of our lives.
My Plan for the Last Day of the Year
I’ve decided not to decide. Tomorrow, I’ll let the day guide me. If I feel like reflecting, I’ll reflect. If I want to stay in pajamas and watch movies, I’ll do that too. And if I feel like putting on a sparkly dress and dancing around my living room, well, why not?
The end of a year doesn’t have to be a grand farewell or a bold declaration. It can just be a quiet thank you to what was and a soft hello to what’s next.
How do you feel about this time of year? Do you celebrate, reflect, or just let it pass? Wherever you are and however you’re spending these last days of 2024, I hope you give yourself the grace to feel it all—the good, the messy, and everything in between.
Here’s to whatever comes next. ✨
