Letting go of the current year as the New Year rings in is not the easiest thing to do. I should know! I’ve done it dozens of times!

It’s difficult to say ‘goodbye’ especially as you see the last few days of 2011 slip quietly away. Somehow December 31 is one day my husband chooses to be home, with family, rather than out chasing butterflies. No great fanfare, no tears shed. I remember one time a

friend asked: “If you don’t party what do you do?” I joked, “Meditation, eating pounds of chocolate cake, meditation, watching films, meditation, sucking on candy, meditation, reading…” She didn’t believe me. So I asked her: “Is getting drunk and making merry the way to deal with the ball and chain attached to 2011?” I was very happy bringing in the New Year kissing the dog rather than strangers.

The real battle, as the years come and go, is with your personal demons. The year gone by is a part of a lovely journey where good times are shared, where relationships are lost and found, where lessons are learned, where memories are created that will live on

forever. You have to acknowledge the legacy of the year gone by to pay tribute it. And as I sit sipping my herbal tea on this dark December night I recognise the legacy of love, courage and fortitude that 2011 bestowed on me. I saw how the tough times inspired me to grow more in my human revolution. In 2012, I resolved to throw out the clutter, and because I am sincere about it this time, I’m sure the universe will help me along.

My New Year resolution is try not to do things that I did not want to do and meet people I did not want to spend time with, so I could let go of the negative energy surrounding me. I should learn to say “No” graciously. Life is too short to be constantly cluttered with

doubt, anger, self-pity, fear…One doesn’t need to hand on to all of these. The clutter be it in the past, be it with people, be it with emotions, stunts the new year ahead.

As the year comes to a close, besides spring-cleaning, the other thing you do is self-reflection. You realise how fragile and human you are. I realise my house is not spotless; my weight is far from perfect; my soul, like my face, could do with some uplifting. I realise I am far from perfect, which is why I must stay upbeat and optimistic. So I am always stronger than the problems that come my way.

The good thing about ageing is that you learn to embrace the unknown. You embrace serendipitous opportunities and discover delight in the moment. While we can’t choose many things in life but we can choose to show gratitude to a great 2012 waiting around the corner. And who knows that simple act of gratitude could make it embrace your life back.

A very happy New Year!

(The writer is a theatre director and novelist)