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‘New year, new me’

By Catherine Toth Fox • December 31, 2014 • Musings

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I went to lunch today with two 28-year-olds who had such a youthful view of life, it was actually infectious.

One just broke up with her long-distance boyfriend, the other is in the middle of growing her business. Both stressful — and neither situation sounded appealing to me.

And yet, over pork jowls and bowls of pho, they laughed and joked, declaring, “New year, new me!”

I couldn’t help but smile.

It’s been quite a tumultuous year, it seems, for a lot of people. People have been posting things like, “Can’t wait for this year to end” and “It’s been the darkest year of my life” on social media as the year has been winding down.

It’s made me reflect on my own year.

Turns out, it wasn’t exactly the best year for me, either. I started it off with a kidney infection that kept me in a hospital room for almost a week. I ditched a regular paycheck — and benefits — to freelance full time. I struggled with friendships that started to change and evolve. I had my wallet stolen in Greece and had my credit card comprised three different times. I’ve spent more money fixing my car than it’s worth. I’ve lost photos on my phone, worried about my sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and euthanized our pet chicken.

I think that all qualifies for a status update along the lines of, “2014 pretty much sucked.”

But I kept thinking about the positive attitude of my two young friends, who looked at this new year with such expectant optimism.

And in order to look forward with such a sunny outlook, you have to reflect in that way, too.

Sure, this year was crazy. I can honestly say I’ve never been more stressed, more anguished, or more frustrated than in 2014.

But look at what else has happened: I traveled to Europe twice, I’ve met some pretty inspiring people, I’ve written more than I ever thought possible. I attended my first writers’ conference, landed a gig on a morning show, and delved into aquaponics and sustainable farming. I’ve seen friends get engaged, get married, buy homes, start businesses, get pregnant, give birth, send their children off to college. I’ve surfed and hiked and even rode a horse. And above all, I met — and married — a guy who inspires me to be a better person.

That’s really not too bad.

So my New Year’s resolution? It’s pretty easy. I’m going to just be happy. I’m not going to dwell on the negatives — easier said than done, of course — and try to focus on all the wonderfulness in this world.

It’s a new year, but the same me — just with a new attitude.

Happy 2015, everyone! And I hope you all find your happiness this year, too!

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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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8 Comments

  • Reply M December 31, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Hello Cat,
    Goodbye 2014 and hello 2015. It’s going to be great year for you and everyone. Be thankful for what you have and be blessed.
    Happy New Year to you and Kai!

  • Reply kat January 1, 2015 at 12:33 am

    have a great 2015!

  • Reply Melissa January 1, 2015 at 1:52 am

    It only sucks for those who focus on the negative! We’ll have a very good year. Happy 2015!

  • Reply Rashelle January 1, 2015 at 5:38 am

    Happy New Year, Cat! You hit the nail on the head: “in order to look forward with such a sunny outlook, you have to reflect in that way, too.” Crappy things happen in life and they have to be dealt with, but not dwelt on. I hope 2015 is your best year ever!

  • Reply Dennis January 1, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Happy New Years CAT! I’ll look forward to your blogs this year negative or positive. Have a wonderful 2015!!!

  • Reply Myke January 2, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Can’t imagine you can become a better person than you already are. Wishing you a happy and long life – every year!

  • Reply Surfing at Sixty January 3, 2015 at 10:16 am

    Catherine Toth Fox, What a difference a year makes. Happy New Year to you and yours!

  • Reply WildeOscar January 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Two weeks in, but I’ll share this anyway. It was written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox in 1910, and it’s my go-to sentiment every new year. This is simply titled “The Year,” and she’s generally considered an inspirational or upbeat writer. This poem falls more into the category of realism, and it resonates with me. I hope also with you or any of your followers who may happen upon it here:

    “What can be said in New Year rhymes,
    That’s not been said a thousand times?

    The new years come, the old years go,
    We know we dream, we dream we know,

    We rise up laughing with the light,
    We lie down weeping with the night.

    We hug the world until it stings,
    We curse it then and sigh for wings,

    We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
    We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead,

    We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
    And that’s the burden of a year.”

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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