2172: Happy New Year, 2016

Happy new year! It's the beginning of another arbitrary division of time which we ascribe more meaning to than is strictly necessary. And yet, as always, it's difficult to resist the allure of thinking that "this time, things will be better".

2015 was pretty shit. Not just for me, but for a lot of people I know. And that sucks. I hate to see people I know and care about having a shitty time, but it does make me feel slightly better (if a little guilty) to know that I wasn't the only one dealing with difficult shit.

I don't know whether or not 2016 will be better or not. I'd like to hope it will be, but realistically I know that there's no reason it will be. I don't have anything in particular to look forward to, but at least I don't think there's anything I'm particularly dreading either. Compare and contrast with the start of 2015, where it was gradually becoming apparent that I was getting forced out of my job (albeit one I didn't like anyway) and where my own personal well-being with particular regard to my weight was at something of a low ebb, and the start of 2016 already looks a little more positive in comparison.

2015 wasn't all bad, of course. I got married, for one thing, and that was pretty great. I met a bunch of new friends, too, and developed my interests further and deeper. I successfully got through what was quite possibly the second work-related nervous breakdown I've suffered in my life and out of the other side mostly intact. I lost nearly six stone in weight (though have probably put a bit back on over the Christmas period — we haven't been terribly strict!) and feel noticeably better about myself.

So I guess I should be feeling all right about looking forward to the new year. There are still lots of things I'm worried, anxious and upset about. But the only thing I can really do about them is keep on pushing forwards and hope things work out for the best in the long term. After all, that approach has got me this far, even if I'm not exactly in the position I thought I'd be in at the age of 34 when I was younger.

Happy new year, everyone. May 2016 be a good year for you, and if you, too, suffered a mountain of stress and other shit in 2015, may it soon be nothing but a distant memory. Thank you all for your support and kind words over the last 365 days, and here's to many more good times and pleasant chats as we slide inexorably into the future.