Random beginnings

I have long accepted that Christmas euphoria declines as you age, and the same is true for the promise of New Year changes. This year, I stopped believing that January 1st is a different timeline from December 31st. And with it, I dismissed the idea that the first day of the year is a standard setter for how I want the rest to flow.

For one, I defied not going out on New Year’s Day. I took a quick getaway in Nasipit right after I dropped Vincent off at the port. Vince challenged folk customs not to travel or leave your hometown on the 1st day of the year. He returned to Cebu earlier than expected because tickets for the latter days ran out.

Maybe this is one of the trades of maturity. I start believing that I can confront a big change or face a life-defining decision anytime or as it catches up on me. Besides the idea of a clean slate for 2025, we can start anytime. Although it depends on the person. But for me, change could present itself on the most random day.

This comes with the idea of welcoming random beginnings and embracing their beauty. For example, in that split second, you pick up that cooking oil brand you prefer, and its dominant yellow inspires you to pursue digital art. Or when you opened that email one October afternoon out of boredom, which now holds the potential to change your life.

The underlying idea is that you cannot resist change. You can initiate it, but often it will surprise you.

I know that my twenties is my defining decade, and it requires strategic planning to attain my aspirations before entering thirties. But 2024 slapped me with unpredictability. I was eager to enter a new phase to ditch the pain, but it only came that December morning. I was nearly done with preparations for work when I finally observed that the morning breeze was friendly. The dogs were not loudly barking as they awaited breakfast. Ultimately, I started feeling inspired to move around and seek new connections. There was a new phase and a random, beautiful start. It was easy that it felt meant to happen.

I claim to be a master planner. But in retrospect, most of the changes in my life happened when I stopped obsessing over planning them. “When it flows, it flows” is true. The moonlight will shine over your town when it is meant to happen, even in the darkest times.