It’s a New Year! January the 1st is not only the start of the New Year in the Gregorian calendar, but also the Roman and Julian, so if you’re still following the Julian calendar like the Amazigh people, then we’re in synch. There are of course New Years all through the year in different countries and cultures, and some New Years which move. This feels destabilising. I like the predictability of seasons and festivals. This week I learned that January the 1st is a feast day in the calendar of Eastern Orthodox calenders because it is the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ. I’m not sure this knowlege has enhanced my life. And now you can reflect on whether it has enhanced yours.
I did not stay up until midnight. I was pretty exhausted from work so had the most luxurious evening eating a lovely dinner and retiring to bed. My favourite thing about getting older is that I feel less and less need to do what’s expected and instead I do whatever I like! P__ stayed up but he’s a definite night owl, wheras I’ve had to accept that I’m more of a morning lark.
I’m usually against New Year’s resolutions. They are too often unrealistic and are broken within a month. I also find the “New Year, New You” mantra offensive: you’re great just as you are! I like the idea of resolving to accept yourself and be just ok! Having said all that, I’ve come around to the idea of using the arbritrary marker of a new year to reflect on the last 365 days, and set some positive intentions for the next 365. Rituals are important and powerful. The world is a constantly evolving mess and findings ways to set a course through the chaos feels useful, so here are my 2025 New Year Resolutions:
- let joy coexist alongside grief
- dedicate more time to community care
- read more history
- prioritise time for creativity
- use my money intentionally
I think some of the reasons that New Year resolutions so often fail is that people try to remake themselves as something they are not, and they have no plan to integrate their goals into their life. So I’ve gone for resolutions which reaffirm what I already know is important to me, and have clear actions associated with them which don’t have to happen every single week.
I intend to embrace all the joy I’m so lucky to have in my life, and not feel guilty despite the contrast with all the trauma I see in the world. Feelings of powerlessness are a major trigger for anxiety and depression, and as a way ot counter act this I will dedicate more time to community care. I plan to look for ways to contribute more to groups in solidarity with migrants, like the anti-raids network, Medact and the Solidarity Knows No Borders network; to find ways to tap into people’s natural compassion and reduce the use and abuse of animals for food, fashion and entertainment; to find more effective ways to accelerate the changes needed to limit the climate breakdown we are already experiencing; to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine; and to focus on the care of local people through support in my role as a Digital Champion.
There are many gaps in my knowledge of history. I spent most of my time in education focused on the sciences, and any history I was taught was euro-centric and infused with colonialism. I’ve been listening to podcasts and audiobooks which help fill in some gaps, but need to do more of this. Recommendations very gratefully received!
I always find so much joy in creativity, particularly textile art. I keep promising myself that I will make time for this, and I’ve done quite a good job this year, spending many happy hours at the floor looms in Freeweaver Studio in Deptford, and in the workshops of The Goodlife Centre in Borough. I have promised myself I’ll keep this up, as it’s vital not only to my own wellbeing but also my effectiveness in other areas of life.
I’ve been increasingly persuaded by the effectiveness of boycott, divestment and sanctions. Boycott is another way to feel empowered by collective action, rather than disempowered in the face of corporate greed, environmental destruction and genocide, so I’m stepping up my boycotts and thinking more about where I spend my money. I stopped buying fast fashion a long time ago, I’ve been boycotting Nestle, Coca Cola, Barclays and others for forever, and this year I added Sabra, and AirBnB to my list. I’ve been looking into the possibility of boycotting Teva Pharmaceuticals whose headquarters are in Israel, and who benefit significantly from economic and political conditions in the Palestinian territories.
“Last year, Teva paid the Israeli government $565 million (£446m) in taxes accrued from 2005, thus supporting the country’s military, and campaigners have warned that the firm also contributes to settler colonialism by building in occupied Palestine. Teva is the only firm given access by Israel to operate in the West Bank and Gaza — making Palestinians dependent on their occupier for medicine.” Morning Star.
Teva make Qvar and Spiromax inhalers, which isn’t a problem as there are easy alternatives that contain the same medications in similar devices. But they also make Salamol which is much more challenging as this is the preferred MDI salbutamol inhaler; the alternative Ventolin has a much higher carbon footprint. I enocurage my patients to adopt SABA-free treatment regimes for asthma, and use dry powder inhalers where possible, but there will always be some who need or want to use MDI salbutamol. I don’t have any answers so please get in touch if you’ve already thought about this!
I find fashion an easy area in which to be mindful about what my money supports. I do not want to be responsible for slavery, exploitation, landfill and pollution. I now mainly buy pre-loved clothes, but here are some sustainable brands I like for new things:
The Good on You website is a good starting point to learn more about brands in your wardrobe.
I’m always on the lookout for sustainable companies to support. Here are just a few non-clothing products I recommend:
- Upcircle Beauty citrus face scrub
- Who Gives a Crap toilet rolls & tissues
- Oddbox vegetable box
- Life Supplies refillable deodorant
I’m hoping 2025 brings more peace and compassion to the world. We can make that hope a reality in the choices we make every day.
drlj 