Words: Nyah Schiessl
When you hear the word ‘fresh’, the theme of this month’s Gallery edition, you may think of new beginnings. Clean slates. Reinventions. Freshness is often framed as something that comes when we discard the old. But what if freshness doesn’t only arrive with something new? What if there was a tried-and-tested blueprint for meaningful habits you could adopt, ones that would completely stop the desire to reinvent yourself every 365 days and instead allow you to feel truly at home in the life you have right now?
In a culture that is constantly urging us to upgrade, optimise, and iron out the imperfections in our lives, it can be a relief to realise that a fulfilling life already exists within us. Big profits for big companies drive so much of what we see online, in advertising, and on TV, meaning the next trendy product or routine to fuel our transformation might never really serve you at all.
“New year, new me” is a phrase so familiar it barely raises an eyebrow. A loaded statement, carrying a great deal of pressure, especially in the dead of winter. The new calendar year begins on the first of January, ever since the Gregorian calendar was created, yet our bodies and inner rhythms still mimic the natural world.
It is important humans do not expect growth and renewal at a time when very few trees bear leaves, creatures hibernate, and seeds lie dormant beneath the earth. Winter is for rest and stillness. New energy cannot be mustered up sustainably simply because the pressures of January 1st say so.
As a child, the moments that nourished me most were the simple ones. I’m sure many of you feel the same. Being outside with family, laughing with friends, being present, and feeling grounded in our days. Time moved slowly. The world felt closer. Lessons and inspiration could be found everywhere, and our evolution unfolded without comparison or self-judgement.
Growing into ourselves is a process where many of us spend years trying to build a life we think we should want-following trends, experimenting with how we live, how we look, searching for that perfect version of ourselves that finally feels like we’ve “made it.” In that pursuit, we often overlook the gentle guidance held in our own pasts, communities, the lives of our ancestors, and the childhood comforts held in our hearts.
The things that will truly bring a sense of fulfilment are the simple rituals and habits that have sustained human life for thousands of years. They will never change, because they are the essence of human existence…. Real community, living in tune with nature, observing, not comparing, feeling inspired, supporting one another, growing food, shamelessly pursuing interests that are entirely your own, nourishing your body, laughing with loved ones, and being cosy and safe in places that remind you of yourself and your family.
Our island is rich with history, lessons, and strong natural rhythms, from the tides that flow to the drastic seasonal changes. Living here offers constant reminders that life moves in cycles. Islanders are submerged in community spirit, even if many of us forget to acknowledge it. The beauty of a Jersey life is not in fresh starts or constant reinvention, but in remembering, revisiting, and reconnecting with our natural surroundings and shared ways of living.
Perhaps the freshness we hope for with every changing calendar year isn’t found in a completely new life or in chasing what’s next, but in connection. If we wish to feel a sense of achievement and belonging as time goes on, we should honour the roots that shaped us- the habits that have always fulfilled the human heart. The simple rituals and human connections that make us feel more alive, not under more pressure. The things we really desire in our hearts, not what we are told we need by the world.
Allowing new habits to be shaped by old rhythms doesn’t have to feel like going backwards- it might feel like coming home.
@nnyyah
