The new year is here. With it might come some level of anxiety or excitement as we anticipate the 365 days before us.
If you are of my generation, the word anticipation might evoke this classic ketchup commercial.
The commercial draws its inspiration from this Carly Simon song.
Politically or personally you may have reason to anticipate the future with concern or fear. The world can be a scary place and the future is of course largely unknown. Unprecedented is a word we are likely to hear repeatedly moving forward.
I’ve tried to assuage some of my fears by peppering my 2025 calendar with things to look forward to. Vacations are planned, tickets to concerts or plays already purchased, a new book release is scheduled for August. I’ve also preemptively made loose plans with different friends and family every month this year.
Having something to anticipate with excitement can take the edge of the unpredictable but very real probability that we can anticipate bad events will occur as well.
On one hand some anticipation can help us prepare or stave off bad outcomes. On the other, too much worry can paralyze us or prevent us from enjoying what is right in front of us – which is to deny us the present.
Watch Carly Simon sing this song. She is acknowledging the dual sided nature of anticipation. As the wind blows through her hair and the smile runs across her face, you can see the choice she is making. Anticipation is a dish best served with hope or of course, ketchup.
This Week’s Recommendation: Take a few minutes right now to schedule some things to look forward to. Buy yourself some tickets to something, make plans for a night out with a loved one or a quiet day off work just to treat yourself. Then start anticipating how awesome each of them will be.
Share this email as an invitation to do something with someone you love hanging out with but don’t have any plans with right now.