Celebration becomes reflection. Living in the moment becomes a look back, and the chance to study, practice and apply things we learnt throughout the year for the benefit of the next.
But what a year it was. It was a year where ice bucket challenges, make-up free self portraits and the arrival of a dangerously popular chocolate milk battered public discussions. New dilemmas with social media and crime have sprung, and globally the aviation industry's tragic year and the rise of a global terror has frightened all.
From a personal perspective, 2014 was a year of mixed fortune. Amidst the wild machinations of a Europe trip, a flat move and a new job were some challenges expected and unexpected.
Of course, 2014 brought me a lot of fantastic memories, and I thought I'd delve into these first.
The end of January brought a new challenge - dealing with redundancy. I finished at Perform Media at the end of the month and while the timing felt right, the unease of 'what next' became a difficult perspective to hold onto.
Regardless, I was incredibly fortunate to gain some contract work before eventually signing on with The Radio Network (now NZME.) as an online producer. My current working environment is fantastic. The people I work with are fun, vibrant, ambitious and incredibly good at what they do. It's been a very enlightening insight into the radio industry and I'm very content.
Then the Europe trip. What started as a mere idea 18 months ago became a surreal reality in August. As the months following the four-week trip tick on, one can only look back on blogs, photos, maps and the like to realise that this was a trip of a lifetime.
Six countries, four weeks and a transformed traveller filled with more wanderlust and the knowledge of a learned explorer. New friends were made, old connections were rekindled and the joy of others company was complemented by fresh insights as a naive solo traveller.
I learned more about myself in this trip than I did in anything else this year. One of the key work ons, being straight up when necessary, is a work in progress. Regardless, there have been plenty of instances where I have looked back on my photos with nothing but admiration and wonder. I will return some day.
Not long after I returned, five days in fact, I left my flat. The Shack had been my home for over two and a half years and while it was difficult to say goodbye, I felt the time was right to move on and embrace a new flatting environment. It was a move I'll never regret. I live with three of my favourite Auckland folk and being able to relax with them brings me so much joy. Kim is a sports reporter, Hannah works at World Vision and Hamish works at Yahoo!NZ. This flat is so good and the people in it make me very happy.
There have been some challenges along the way this year, though. Living in a spirit of comparison has made me angry, disappointed and resentful. It's one of my big areas to target in 2015, and one I hope will help me get towards a bit more of a happy head space.
Another is the powerful effect of social media and its influence. It's remarkably scary how we can be so glued to something the size of a Post It note when in reality we can miss a lot of things. Trying to reduce this is key for me this year.
And so it comes to the end of yet another reflective yarn. As the sun will soon rise, so too will my drive and ambition for the goals I have set myself.
I'd love to hear your highlights and lowlights and what you're aiming to discover, uncover or do this coming year!
Tena koutou katoa,
Matiu
