Anyone who’s known me for a while knows more than they want to about my long stay in Germany–nearly thirty years. I’m that annoying new kid who’s always blathering about how great things were in her old school. One of the customs/ideas I still hang onto is the notion of die Zeit zwischen den Jahren–the time between the years–this peaceful time between Christmas and the start of the new year, January 6th by the old calendar. It’s a relaxing, low-stress time for reflection, setting goals for the year to come, and enjoying the fruits of our holiday labor–or the cookies. Mensch, how I miss German Plätzchen!
I usually love this period between Christmas and New Year’s Day when we’re still kinda/sorta celebrating the holidays. This year–meh. We’re keeping our holiday decorations up through the 6th of January–in fact, we’re planning to keep our fake tree up until we’re vaccinated and the pandemic restrictions ease. We’ll change out the decorations to suit the coming months. February’s a piece of cake: decorate for Valentine’s Day and then Mardi Gras. In March, it’ll be a Saint Patrick’s tree. In April, Easter. But January is a toughie. Perhaps a BLM tree in honor of Dr. King, plus something for the inauguration?
My role models for weird holiday decorations were American friends in Germany who kept a department store mannequin in their front window, changing her outfit and accessories each month to reflect the holidays and seasons. Revealing her new look was a great excuse for a party. Alas, we won’t be inviting anyone over to view new iterations of our holiday tree.
As far as reflection, you don’t need another post about what a whacked-out year it’s been. I’m blessed to not have lost anyone to this horrible virus. We’ve been strict about following pandemic protocols and have only seen friends and relatives who live nearby–outdoors, at a distance, etc. I wish we’d bought stock in Zoom, and am grateful we all have internet access. Last Sunday, we had an extended family reunion online, and it was great to visit with cousins, aunts, and an uncle I hadn’t seen in years.
October and November tore me to shreds as I followed election strife, but the outcome has me cautiously optimistic. Writing-wise, it’s been a good year, with three books published, but I know I could’ve done better if I weren’t so distracted by the dumpster fire that was 2020. Who’da thunk that metaphor would get such a workout? We need a better one–toxic swamp gas? Rat-infested junkyard? Multi-car pileup on the freeway of our lives? Leave a suggestion in the comments!
As for planning for 2021, I just can’t muster up any enthusiasm. I admire people who set concrete goals and plan out the steps to achieve them, but 2020 has taught me how little control I actually have about–well, pretty much everything. So my goal for 2021 is to simply get through it, enjoy the moments I can, write every day–even if it’s just a few sentences, and connect with loved ones and new friends.
How about you? Are you gripping tight onto your planner, or just coasting? Are you hopeful about the coming year? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Here’s to a brighter 2021!
I love that idea of a holiday tree! My apartment is too small for a tree but I do have a tiny xmas tree in a pot that I put on a shelf. That said, I put orange (Halloween), green (St. Patrick’s, Xmas), and red lights (Xmas, Valentine’s Day) up around my living room/office and I turned them on all year.
Fortunately, I’ve been able to write through most of the year, though I’ve had my moments.
I know a lot of people who leave their tree up all year and decorate for the different holidays. Not me though, I’m not much of a decorator at all LOL! I didn’t even do a tree this year with everything going on in my life.
Good luck and God’s blessings in 2021!
PamT
I really enjoy the time between Dec 25th and Jan 6th. We always keep our decorations up, because, technically, it’s still Christmas. I would love to see all the ways you decorate your tree!
Wishing you a MUCH brighter 2021. I’m with you, but I’m hopeful for a time going forward. In the meantime, I’m doing my best and trying to be kind. Stay safe and healthy!
I’m hopeful for a better 2021. I even plan to do some goal setting for the new year, even though, as you say, 2020 taught us that we often have little control over events. I’m doing my best to stay optimistic about the future. All the best in 2021!
It’s easier to leave our tree up through the 12 days of Christmas, now that we have an artificial tree. With the real ones, i was worried about burning down the house!
Great post! I am sick to the teeth of “inspirational” blogs about how much people have grown and learned in 2020… it’s nice to read a post that reflects how I feel about this ***storm of a year. I know I am lucky as so far nobody in my family has got ill (please God let it stay that way) and I have a job and don’t live alone, but as we are now starting our 3rd lockdown (or the 4th? I lose count) I can only count the days until I get the vaccine. It’s a neat idea to have a tree all year round. We have an Easter tree which we put up last Easter and it is still up, along with the 2 Christmas trees!
Great post, Sadira, and no, I had no idea about your years in Germany. Living in another country gives us great new perspectives on life––I lived in Crete for eleven years. I’m still very attached, of course.
Happy New Year. I related to so much of what you mentioned here, so thanks. Now I can move on.
Thanks for sharing. This was a crazy year, filled with its share of angst and heartache. However, kudos to you for publishing three books. That’s impressive. The Wild Rose Press publication of my first two novels brought me immense satisfaction at having a writing dream come true. You are right, this is a great time for reflection and a renewed commitment to spreading love and joy during the upcoming year.
I’m plowing forward. 2020 was awful. I cant change what happened but I can change my response to it. The worst thing was how long this has gone on and will through half of 2021. As for planning, I continue to do so in our limited capacity. I found a large calendar for a three ring binder on ETSY. I added items I use everyday. Everything is in one place. Onward I go!
I don’t got onto Facebook on my personal page much. Today I did and I was horrified by how many friends my age had their entire families over for Christmas. Seems like even more than did Thanksgiving together. Our 4 kids refused to even consider coming here to “endanger the old folks.” So we haven’t seen our 2 toddler grandsons for quite a while–since our last masked camping trip in October. Next year promises to be very much like this year–at least until the vaccines are more available. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, hoping for a better year. My DIL lost her mother back in April to Co-vid, so since she’s the mother of my grandsons, I totally understand her hesitance to take an chances with their precious lives. But the things we all take for granted, like being able to hug the ones you love, have been denied to us–which makes them all the more important. Looking forward to hugs again!
I have done the holiday tree before. It’s actually Quite fun. Now I wish I did set up the bigger tree lol.
Great post and Happy New Years. I usually set goals and plan but after the last two years…I’ll coast along this year.
Ps. I loved your books.
Great post. I love this between time too. It compels me to eat all the holiday treats before January 6. I grew up celebrating little Christmas (eastern rite on my mom’s side so it’s still the holidays for me. But waves of sadness come over me every so often when I think of the people I haven’t seen in so long and want to HUG.
I am setting goals but I have not been able to bring myself to get a planner…
If you want to chuckle about 2020 watch “Death to 2020” on Netflix
Before I left for Belize me and my assistant and Marketing Manager we sat down and planned the entire year ahead. Launches, blog posts, and other events so we know what to focus on each month, what to promote on social media, but also to keep me accountable 🙂
Wonderful post. I’ve always enjoyed this ‘quiet’ time between Dec. 25 – Jan. 6. In truth, it’s a good time for reflection and new directions for me. Cheers to a much better 2021!
Great post, Sadira! I’m with you on feeling like I have no control over things. I suppose any kind of planning is optimistic when you know there could be a little life surprise just around the corner. Your 2021 goal sounds soothing and inspiring. Reckon I may take a leaf out of your book 🙂
Hi,
I didn’t know you lived in Germany over 30 years. Wow. That’s great.
Wishing you a great 2021.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
Thanks for the thoughtful post. Not to brag, but 2020 started out with a cancer diagnosis for me so I have high hopes 2021 will be less turbulent in that regard at least. (I’m all clear for now.) And because 2020 was a black hole, I’m excited to get back to the business of writing–but with quite a different perspective. This little comment is evidence–I usually loiter and lurk and hide in the shadows. One of my goals is to step out and enjoy the community more. Happy New Year!!
I couldn’t wait to go out and select the planner that would take me through 2021. It was a way to celebrate the end of 2020. I have huge plans for the coming year. I think the approval of a vaccine gave me an optimism I don’t usually have.
Hi, Sadira. I saw your post link in a group email. I love the plan with your holiday tree. It’s been a helluva year, is all I’ll say. I’m unsure of how long I’ll leave out the few decorations I displayed this year. At this point, I’m coasting, and hoping for a better new year. Happy New year to you and your family.
Someday I’d like to hear more about your years in Germany… ;^)
My reaction to 2020 is simply to let it go. Ups and downs, a lot of learning, but that’s every year… we just may not notice it so much.
May your days be merry and bright! Looking forward to reading more from you in 2021.
It may be a bit macabre, but I thought of this for your January tree: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/89579480066202834/. Loved your post and tweeted it. Happy New Year.
Great post. I love the time between Christmas and New Year’s. And I also have my planner ready to go, just haven’t filled in much so far. I am hoping 2021 will be a better year but there are some things that have me thinking it might not be. I’m trying to be optimistic, though. Happy New Year!
I coasted most of 2020 as all goals had to stay six feet away. So, at some point over the next few days, I’ll set some goals — but loose, easy breezy goals. 🙂
I found some stuff for you to celebrate this month: National Hot Tea Month, Pongal, Hot Chocolate Day (I think that could be stretched into a month!)