From Binging Netflix to Volunteer Work: The Perfect Guide to Surviving January 1st Without Regret (or a Headache)
When it comes to New Year’s Day, many of us associate it with a fresh start and a chance to set new goals for the year ahead. After a night of partying and celebrating, it can be difficult to know how to spend the first day of the new year.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to make the most of this day and start the year off on the right foot. Whether you want to get active, declutter your home, or spend time with loved ones, there are plenty of ways to make the most of New Year’s Day.
In this ideas roundup, we’ll explore some ideas for things to do once the partying is over and the new year has begun.
Here are some suggestions for things to do on New Year’s Day once the partying is over:
- Sleep in: After a night of celebrating, you might be feeling a bit tired. Take advantage of the day off and catch up on some sleep.
- Declutter: Start the year off with a clean slate by decluttering your home. Get rid of anything you no longer need or use, and organize the things you want to keep.
- Have a hearty breakfast: Start your day with a nutritious breakfast to give you the energy you need for the day ahead.
- Go for a walk: Get some fresh air and go for a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park. It’s a great way to clear your head and start the year off on a positive note.
- Set some goals: Take some time to reflect on the past year and set some goals for the year ahead. Write them down and make a plan to achieve them.
- Try something new: Start the year off with a new experience. Try a new hobby, take a class, or try a new restaurant.
- Watch a movie: If you don’t feel like leaving the house, curl up on the couch and watch a movie or binge-watch your favorite TV show.
- Volunteer: Start the year off by giving back to your community. Find a local charity or organization that you’re passionate about and volunteer your time.
- Spend time with loved ones: New Year’s Day is a great time to spend quality time with family and friends. Plan a get-together or invite people over for a relaxed day of food and fun.
- Relax: Finally, don’t forget to take some time to relax and unwind. Take a bath, read a book, or do whatever helps you to de-stress and recharge.
One interesting fact about New Year’s Day is that it is not celebrated on the same day in every country. While many countries follow the Gregorian calendar, which marks New Year’s Day on January 1st, other countries use different calendars and celebrate New Year’s Day on different dates.
For example, in China, New Year’s Day is celebrated based on the lunar calendar and typically falls between January 21st and February 20th. Similarly, in Israel, New Year’s Day is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah, which falls in September or October.
New Year’s Day has been celebrated for thousands of years, with many different cultures and civilizations marking the occasion in their own unique ways. One of the earliest recorded celebrations of New Year’s Day dates back to ancient Babylon, around 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians celebrated the New Year with a 12-day festival called Akitu, which involved feasting, religious ceremonies, and the crowning of a new king.
Over time, other cultures and civilizations adopted their own traditions and rituals for celebrating the New Year. For example, the ancient Egyptians celebrated the New Year with a festival honoring the god Ra, while the ancient Greeks marked the occasion with a festival dedicated to the god Dionysus.
In the Western world, New Year’s Day was traditionally celebrated on March 25th, which was known as Lady Day, or the Feast of the Annunciation. However, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which moved New Year’s Day to January 1st.
This change was gradually adopted by countries around the world, although it took several centuries for some countries to fully adopt the new calendar.