Happy Fucking New Year

I was out walking the dog on New Year's Day, getting some fresh air after a solid 4 hours sleep. And over the course of an hour, 5 complete strangers spoke to me.

Now, I live in London, so when a stranger talks to you, it's usually because they want to rob you, kill you, or crazy rant at you.

It is not a normal thing.

And, would you believe it, they all said the exact same thing?

"Happy New Year"

My wife will tell you that I have an irrational hatred of the New Year. I will tell you that it's a completely normal, considered hatred.

Forced fun is, as we all know, the worst kind of fun. Going out to "enjoy myself" when everyone else is doing the same thing, on the same night is NOT FUN.

Why is it not fun, you may ask? There are too many reasons to list.

But I'll give it a go anyway:

• Fireworks;
• Drinking excessively;
• Getting no sleep;
• It's too soon after Christmas;
• The TV countdown shows;
• Jules Holland;
• Packed public transport;
• 'Games';
• etc etc

So by the time the second stranger had 'wished' me Happy New Year, I'd already had enough.

New Year, New You

New Year’s Day is the ultimate marketing ploy disguised as a fresh start. “New Year, New You”. Really? A flip of the calendar is all it takes to erase bad habits, repair broken relationships, and start training for that marathon? Sure it is.

Let’s call it what it is: an arbitrary day that society has collectively decided will be our annual reset button. But here’s the thing—they sell you the fireworks and the resolutions package because it sounds better than admitting the truth:

Every single day is a chance to start over

Think about it. Why pour all your hope, motivation, and good intentions into one day when you could spread that magic across the other 364? Why wait for January 1st to dust off your dreams when you can wake up tomorrow and say, “Today’s the day I make a change”?

The Problem with “New Year”

The hype around New Year’s resolutions is like trying to sprint a marathon.

Sure, everyone’s motivated for the first mile. Gym memberships surge, kale becomes a best-seller, and people set “intentions” like they’re going out of style. But by February? Most of it fizzles out.

Why? Because New Year’s resolutions are built on the idea that change requires some grand, ceremonial starting point.

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Life doesn’t care what day it is. Your dreams don’t expire on December 31. And meaningful change? It’s built on consistency, not theatrics.

What If Every Day Was New Year’s Day?

Imagine waking up every morning with the same sense of hope and possibility that people reserve for January 1. What would that look like?

• Plans? Make them daily, not yearly.
• Motivation? Find it in small wins, not just big goals.
• Reflection? Do it as often as you brush your teeth, not just once a year.

This isn’t about being some overachieving, hyper-productive entrepreneur. It’s about realising that every sunrise is a reset button.

You don’t need fireworks or champagne—just a little intention and a lot of consistency.

New Year's Day is A Lie

It’s just another Wednesday in a fancy outfit. The only thing that makes it special is the meaning we assign to it.

But guess what? You can assign that meaning to any day. Monday. Thursday. The random Wednesday in March when you realize you haven’t quit the bad habit you swore off back in January.

Stop waiting for the “perfect” moment to start over. Treat every day like New Year’s Day—full of hope, full of plans, and full of motivation. Life’s too short to save all your optimism for January 1st.

Ready to Start?

Here’s your challenge: what’s one thing you can do today—yes, today—that will make you feel like you’re on the right path? Start small. Pick one habit to improve, one goal to chase, or one fear to face. Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day.

Turns out, when you live like this, you don’t need New Year’s Day. Every day becomes a chance to grow, change, and thrive.

So let’s raise a glass—not to the New Year, but to all the ordinary days that deserve a little extra magic. Cheers to today.

Any if anyone else wishes me Happy New Year, then I apologise in advance for the special level of vitriol coming your way.

Happy Saturday,

Jon "Bah Humhug" Kaye

P.S. My latest track on Spotify is a cover version of the classic Gnarls Barkley song "Crazy" and it's getting some love so please do check it out, thank you so much.