My dog shivers by my side as neighborhood fireworks zing, pop, and explode this New Year’s Eve. We’re on my back porch. I’m enjoying Soul Stick incense from a friend. My page is lit by a red candle that my late mom bought in a different state, decades ago.

We’re staying in for the night. I finished my letter to future Pennie. When I finish writing this, we’ll grill some skewered delights and prepare Persephones, a drink I crafted—Prosecco, pomegranate juice, and Cointreau—when I didn’t have cranberry juice for poinsettias a few years ago.

My evening may sound silly or elegant to you. Maybe it sounds posh. Honestly, it’s simple. More importantly, it’s mine. I wrote my letter and drafted these words on scrap paper, I’m wearing a dirty shirt and no makeup, and I’m sitting in porch clutter that I’ll address… next year. I’m choosing my space and my comfort as I transition into next year and creating the tools I want for 2025.

The Tools

After a few weeks of travel, people, and peoply activities, I’m thrilled to sit alone for a day, focused on tools for the new year.

• Weekly Dailies: Inspired by Ross Gay to capture delights and by others to track habits and set goals, I make a bound Weekly Dailies book every year.
• Letter to Myself: This year, when I find last year’s letter (surely it’s at the farm), I plan to answer the letter.
• End-of-Year Blog: Hot off the press.
• Vision Board: This year will include more words—”Stillness Speaks,” “Query, Write, Repeat,” and “Balance”—and images of open skies, inviting paths, feathers, and pens.

I’m staying in and focusing on tools for the journey I hope to take through 2025. What are you doing this New Year’s Eve? How are you wrapping up 2024? How will you welcome 2025? Whether in wild celebration or focused contemplation, I hope it lifts and empowers you.

©Pennie Nichols. All Rights Reserved. 2024.