Twenty20something

As I am crossing over the bridge between the two years, in the most eastern town of Japan, I sleep on the tatami of a truly old house, eat osechi for breakfast, lunch & dinner and try to relax as much as I can. But relax I can’t. I have my sketchbook and crucially my iPad with me, so it’s inevitable I make something and of course I felt it should be shared with you all.

I see these days there’s a tendency to do last year reviews, new year projections, sharing of happy wishes and express positive intentions for others and ourselves.

I’m sorry to announce you should not expect much of these from me.
I understand a new year is just a number, and choosing such a specific date as Jan 1st limits us in believing the chance for change and improvement is only this once every 365 days. The same as thinking only once every four years you get to choose societal policies or that you’re allowed to celebrate your birthday just once each turn around the Sun.

I resist this Georgianly choosing of a specific date, expecting some magic change after that. It’s good to wish well to others, have a party and be hopeful, but I prefer this to be possible every.single.day.

Celebrate your birthday whenever! Twice, thrice year, why not?
Have a party today! Being alive is worth a toast everyday.
Wish happiness to everyone around you! Today, tomorrow and next week too.

I’m not very keen of partaking on how the tyranny of maths has limited us. Whenever you bump into someone, wish them happy 365 days from that day forward. Make resolutions and take life-changing decisions everyday! We deserve more chances for “better”, more occasions when cake is permitted and as many —or as few— candles to blow as we please.