RAYs of Thought

“Happy New Year!” 

That’s something that everyone says, but how happy really is it? The new year is definitely a joyous, celebratory occasion that allows for a blank slate. It’s like starting a new book, with 12 new chapters, and 365 pages to write your own story. However, there is also a somewhat melancholy state this time of year. There’s the quiet regret that looms as we look back at the year we’ve just completed, reflecting on the ups and downs, and the anxiety that comes with writing new resolutions. But something important to remember is that these feelings are normal and universal.

For me, personally, I know that 2026 will be a challenging year. This is the year that I will apply for college, take my first IB exams, and face so many new experiences. These things bring me a lot of anxiety, but also a lot of hope. What we all need to remember is to hold on to that hope, and let it be what carries us through the hardest moments.

2026 doesn’t have to be a blank slate, unless you want it to. The new year doesn’t erase the past, it builds on it. It builds on the lessons you’ve learned, the memories you’ve made, and the people you’ve experienced life with. All of these things make you, you.

Maybe that’s something we can all carry with us into this year, and that’s enough to begin.