One at Midnight: New Year’s Eve and the Single Female

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” — Meister Eckhart

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, a symphony of bittersweet emotions envelops the air — an intricate melody playing between hope and heartache. For the single or divorced woman, New Year’s Eve isn’t merely a scene of glittering ballrooms or jubilant toasts; it’s a canvas of emotions, an unspoken soliloquy.

The first New Year after my divorce unfolded like an untouched parchment, waiting for my emotions to etch their raw tales upon it. Amidst clinking glasses and distant laughter, an unexpected urge gripped me — I penned an apology letter to my ex-husband. Each word dripped with the remnants of sorrow, woven with the threads of closure and the yearning for healing.

The following year, the scene changed. As the countdown commenced, my coffee table transformed into a stage of guilty indulgence — a medley of junk foods paraded before me, from the savory allure of Chex Mix to the decadent sweetness of eclairs. I sat amidst a torrent of emotions, watching the movie “Love Jones” through blurred tears. It became a poignant release — a cathartic embrace of my vulnerabilities, weaving a tapestry with tears and the taste of bittersweet chocolates.