December – A Special Time Of The Year

December is upon us again, the final month of the year. How did the time past so quickly? For me,  it is a time to reflect on the past year and to project into the new. No other month emphasises the passing of time as much as December, bringing about mixed feelings of joy, satisfaction and poignancy. 

The festivities and celebrations this time of year are delightful. Streets and shopfronts come alive with captivating lights and decorations. Christmas trees get decked, festive gatherings with family and friends, showering loved ones with gifts, cards and greetings.

On the flip side, I can’t help lamenting the passage of time and the sentimentality that goes with all passings. The way I perceive, experience and value time has changed through the years.

Health and Vitality 

• The march of time signals the inevitable deterioration in health, physical vitality and energy. I recall not too long ago I would go happily for midnight movie screenings and supper thereafter. Stayed up for sports finals or the Olympics into the wee hours of the morning, and not feel worse for it. Nowadays, it’s a feat if I make it to the 10pm news wrap-up. Health regimes has changed from pounding the pavement to HIIT to just gentle pilates or yoga exercises and 10,000 steps.

Relationships:

• Time has profound impact on relationships. The evolution of connections with friends, family and even spouse can sometimes produce a mixed senses of loss or nostalgia for the way things used to be. 

The changing dynamics of relationships as people grow, life circumstances and distance can be a source of lament or inspiration. That’s why I celebrate new friendships and mourn the estrangement of old imposed by distance, time difference, divergence in viewpoints or simply growing apart. I accept these as part and parcel of moving on in life. Nothing stays static, especially in a fast-changing world.

Missed Opportunities:

• Regret often accompanies the passing of time when reflecting on missed opportunities. Whether it’s pursuing a passion, taking risks, or seizing chances for personal growth, the awareness that time is finite and irreversible prompt thoughts about what could have been and dreams that didn’t materialise. Whether due to external factors, personal choices, or unforeseen circumstances, the gap between one’s vision and the reality of achievement can be a cause for regret.

Nostalgia:

• The rapid pace of cultural and technological change, while exciting and dynamic, sometimes make me yearn for the simplicity of past. Of bygone eras when life was much easier. Like ordering food with a menu instead of having to scan a QR code. My whole house is controlled by Apps – lights, sound system, intercom, alarm…and if my S.O gets his way, our lock-and-key system will soon become digital too.

No doubt technology has made life easier – think online banking and Google Maps – it has also made life more complicated. Now that generative AI is marching into our lives…I await with bated breath for the profound changes in society and our personal lives.

Personal Growth and Identity:

• December is a great time to contemplate self-discovery and personal growth. Have I learnt something new about myself, become a better or worse person through the trials and tribulations of the past year? I’ve become more tolerant of different viewpoints brought on by the complexity and atrocities of the Israel-Hamas war. Right and wrong no longer has clear-cut answer. Every standpoint has its merit, appealing to different people, at different time, in different circumstance and with different limitations. 

I’ve also become less critical after 2 friends got scammed. 1 of them lost everything: his life savings, his partner, trust of his family and self respect, shredded by self doubt and anger, as much at himself as with the scammers. It’s not only the gullible who get scammed, anyone of us can become a victim the moment we let our guards down. Have I also become more cynical because of it? Probably…   

Social Changes:

• Singapore made it yet again as the most expensive city in the world. With this affluence comes changes. Some of my favourite hawker foods are dying, giving way to a more cosmopolitan palette. There are now more stores serving spicy Ma-la dishes from Sichuan province than Hainanese Chicken Rice 🙁 And the proliferation of upscale restaurants and bars befitting a world city drive up the costs of dinning out.

Being a world city is not always good for its local residents. Amsterdam is turning away from its wildly successful “I Am Amsterdam” campaign to a “Stay Away” campaign.

Landscape Changes:

• Though relatively new to Marbella, I feel very much at home here due to its great weather, yummy food and easy lifestyle, reminiscent of life back in Singapore. But in the past year alone, the costal city is bearing the brunt of environmental changes. Water scarcity is a growing concern, as is the fast disappearing shoreline, swallowed by an assertive sea. Rainfall is more infrequent and less intense.

A favourite beach bar that used to have a stretch of 10-15 meters of beach – as told by long-time regulars – now has barely any beach. Customers sip their liquid poison sometimes with gentle waves lapping at their toes. Another sign of the degradation time brings.

In the Netherlands winters are shorter and warmer. Snow has become rare in winter months. Skating on naturally frozen lakes, a delight for most Dutch, has not happened since 2013. In fact, European ski resorts are giving up on snow! 

Time

My concept of time itself has changed too. I used to advocate giving time to let things develop, wait for certainty before commitment. But with more hindsight guiding foresight now, I favour hastening things along, use time to force an outcome. 

A friend who just came out of a long-term relationship was undecided about visiting an American guy she met while on vacation in Italy this summer. She was hesitant to plunge into another wrong relationship. My advice to her: “If he’s not the one, would you rather not find out sooner so you don’t lose precious time? And if you both hit it off, don’t you want to spend life together sooner?” Because later may not come. Better to live life with a ‘Why Not’ mentality, go chase your heart’s desires.

While lamenting the passing of time is a natural and often introspective response, I  also recognise that time brings growth, wisdom, and new opportunities. Balancing the acknowledgment of what has been lost with an appreciation for the present and a hopeful gaze towards the future is to live consciously. 

So, time to appreciate time?

May your December be merry!

Savvy Maverick

(Main image: Potato Head in Bali, Savvy Maverick)

Disclaimer: The views expressed are drawn from personal experiences and do not constitute financial advice in any way whatsoever. Nothing published here constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content be relied upon for investment activities. Please seek independent and thorough research before making any financial decisions, including consulting a qualified professional. Data and information cited from sources will not be updated after publication.