Do you ever get that feeling that you just don't know quite what to do with yourself once the holidays are over? The trees and lights are coming down, vacation is over, family and friends have gone back to their routine work schedules, Christmas shows and themed festive cocktails at the bars have all ended, but its still miserably cold out and we've all got awhile to go till spring. I guess I am in denial, as I am continuously finding excuses to get groups of friends together to continue the feeling of celebrations (lucky for me my birthday is also in January as a pick-me-up). Last weekend my husband even convinced me and several close friends to spontaneously (like 24-hour notice trip) go skiing and riding in Vermont for 2 days. (But we are not on vacation from work...) We also still have our Christmas tree and decorations up in our apartment, despite them being taken down all around town (our excuse in that they take up less room out decorated than they do stored in our 1-bedroom apartment closets). Yup, I guess you can say I haven't quite accepted the winter blues just yet.
But as I am spending more and more time with my Nikon, I have been able to find myself slowing down a bit. And figuring out that that's okay. Catching the quiet post-holiday moments around town, and finding out that the hustle and bustle excitement is still there, just looks a little different now. There are still locals and tourists alike walking along the esplanade, couples sitting along the benches together, die-hard runners and bikers doing their thing, people are still outside embracing the city in January. Sure, I am going to miss the lights and the music and the celebrations, but in New York City there is still so much to immerse yourself in. I wasn't sure how my full time photography journey would start out beginning in the middle of January, no flowers blooming, days are shorter, challenging myself daily for new content in harsher weather. However, I am finding that although there are obstacles, there are still moments in my neighborhood worth capturing, and that has given me a new appreciation and thankfulness for this time of year.
The other day I was walking around downtown Battery Park, and noticed a lot of the park staff handling abandoned Christmas trees from all the apartments, shoving them into their trucks, and driving them to a wood chopper. What a sad vision to see, what was once someone's, (was once a child's!), joyous Christmas tree is now a forgotten plant to get hacked away at. But as I kept walking through the park, I stumbled across this happy little mulch pile with a sign on it. The sign read, "Battery Park City Parks: Your Christmas Trees make beautiful mulch. Thank you." Ahhh, now that just made me feel so much better, to see our local Christmas trees being used to beautify our own big backyard!
I am learning to appreciate this post-holiday "what do I do with myself" January as a time to be challenged with my photography, teach myself some new techniques, sow some new seeds in that "Christmas tree mulch". Excited to see what will grow out of this quiet, still season. And as much as I look forward to warm springtime sunshine, I know that each day between now and then is just as carefully and beautifully woven together with a purpose.
