New year, new beginning?

New year is meant to be the time of renewal, new beginnings, fresh hopes and resolutions.

Unfortunately 2022 feels depressingly familiar as we grapple with another phase in the endless Covid pandemic. Same old s%#t, different variant.

As plans for catching up with friends went out the window (curtailed again due to increasing case numbers), I started thinking about rituals and what to do to keep my spirits up.

Rituals can be strange and personal quests. In early Spring, a dear friend of mine started going for an early Saturday morning swim. In Melbourne, that’s quite a commitment, plunging into water that’s on average 12 degrees. I’m reliably informed by the Sea Temperature Info website that this is not suitable for comfortable swimming.

I had a million questions. Why would you get up before six on a Saturday morning? Is Williamstown really a swimming beach? Do you wear a wetsuit? Do you get changed on the beach, or drive there ready for action and make a mad dash from your car across the sand? Is there a chance for coffee afterwards?

But I didn’t ask any questions.

I had a few ideas what it was about. Stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. Breaking out of lockdown. And immersion – losing yourself in a body of water. I remember at my most lost and devastated, I ran down to the beach and threw myself under the cold waves, trying to block the world out.

It’s easier for us lucky islanders to get into the water, but even so, taking the plunge is not the answer for everyone who is looking to immerse themselves or leave the world behind for a moment. Perhaps for you it's meditation, going bush, learning a language or to play an instrument, exercise or yoga, surfing or playing sport.

For me, it’s getting my toes into the sand or making sure I at least see the ocean every day.

And for the times when I can’t leave the house, it’s music. I can paddle around in the songs I know and love, or go exploring the endless oceans of sounds out there.

Time off over Christmas, plus a few very long car trips, gave me plenty of opportunity to listen and catch up on songs I’d missed in the past year. As usual, I’m late to the party but right now, I’m taking Genesis Owusu “Don’t Need You” as my new year’s resolution.

“I won’t be richest with the wealth, I’ll be the richest in blessings”.

With that in mind, here’s to 2022 and keeping our heads above water.