Why It's Okay To Do Nothing On New Year's Eve

By Christina Oehler on December 29, 2014

You’re likely not going to a party like this.

New Year’s Eve: quite possibly the most stressful holiday for young adults. As teens and twenty-somethings, we constantly struggle to find a satisfying, social activity to take part in that evening. Either you’re too young to go to swanky bars and drink Champagne at midnight, or you’re old enough and just too broke to spend $70 on one night that you won’t even remember.

This age old dilemma has been distressing young people for generations, and it likely will not be resolved any time in the near future.

Thus, I pose a new concept, something radical and unheard of: doing nothing.

Yes, you read that correctly, I am truly suggesting you stay home and watch a movie as the clock strikes midnight into 2015.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking as you read this: she’s just writing this because she has nothing to do that evening and wants to justify her lameness. And while I can’t say that isn’t entirely false, I would like to explain to you why this phenomenon may be the solution to a happier January first.

Generally speaking, New Year’s Eve will never measure up to your expectations. Unless somehow your 21 birthday is on January 1 and you happen to be in Times Square, you’re likely going to be let down as 2015 is rung in.

I mean really, there is no basement party or dodge-y bar scene that will ever be as good as watching the ball drop on New Year’s in person.

In my decades of experience, I have learned this the hard way. Year after year I have stressed about finding the perfect dress, the best party and the most sparkly jewelry to wear, and somehow I can’t say that I am able to look back and love any of the New Year’s I have had.

Honestly, I think this holiday should be focused on reflection. How you spent your year and what you learned should be the most important questions you ask yourself, not which shoes you should wear to your lame high school friend’s party. If you want to find happiness this New Year, you’ll need to learn the importance of relaxation and reflection.

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