Poetry: When light is put away.

Emily Dickinson wrote;

“We grow accustomed to the Dark-

When Light is put away-”

This year the dark stayed so long

We had to.

Our eyes adjusted until we

could make out

Shadows and shapes.

Until we could wind our way through the months

with some semblance of normality

Although we know it isn’t.

The world feels lonely in the dark

We fear if this continues 

 we may forget daylight

And hope.

We need reminding ​this will not always be.

One day we will eat a picnic

In the breeze of a warm day

Talking with friends 

While our children play nearby.

We will stroll down busy streets.

We will stand in a crowd and not fear it.

We will see friends who feel a million miles away,

Or maybe who are.

We will embrace and laugh and kiss and sing

We will be together and it will be good.

The dawn will come.

This poem by Elli Johnson is about the difficulty of trying to support her children through the pandemic. She has three kids, aged 16, 14 and 11.

Elli Johnson is a poet and writer, working from her draughty Victorian house in Liverpool, with the river Mersey at the bottom of the road. Her work sits at the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and creativity. Her first book, How Not To Be Good, the A to Z of Anxiety can be purchased from her website here: https://www.ellijohnson.com/how-not-to-be-good-by-elli-johnson/

Elli is currently working on her second book. You can follow her on Instagram @ellijohnsonuk

5 New Year's Resolutions for more Heiterkeit

Approaching the new year is a wonderful invitation to pause and reflect. What were your favourite moments in 2020? What are you proud of? What was challenging? Unfortunately, we rarely accept this invitation. As the year draws to a close, we tend to rush to our next project instead: New Year's resolutions.

Although setting goals may be helpful, ambitions can also stress us out. By writing down a long list of New Year's Resolutions, we put ourselves under pressure to be perfect, overachieving super-humans. After being struck by a pandemic in 2020, we really deserve to start the new year by being kind to ourselves. It is time to make our 2021 goals all about Heiterkeit. Agreed? Then our five alternative New Year's Resolutions are for you.

1. Make listening a priority

Have you ever caught yourself phrasing a response in your head while somebody else was still talking? While this is normal and common, it can prevent you from really focussing on the conversation. Set active listening as your goal for 2021.

Start by banning your smartphone from conversations, ignore your mental to-do list and learn to just be in the moment. This New Year's resolution will reward you with lots of quality time and meaningful connections with your loved ones. The outcome? More Heiterkeit

2. Retreat to nature regularly

Erase the link between outdoors and exercising. If you love running, that's great. If you don't, that's great too. Don't turn it into an all-or-nothing scenario, but make your resolution merely about spending more time in nature, no matter how. 

A simple walk in the forest, for example, is perfect to lift your spirits, inhale the fresh air and declutter your mind. Mother Nature will automatically help you recharge your batteries and bring Heiterkeit into your life.

3. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of yourself and your current emotions. It can help you retreat to an inner calmness and balance instead of letting a situation overwhelm you. Learning this ability is a powerful resolution for 2021 because when you are mindful, you are in charge of your feelings and actions.

For a start, try guided meditation or mindfulness podcasts. Many people also see yoga as a valuable resource. When you become more advanced, you can learn breathing techniques or body scan meditations. Consciously experiencing your environment through all five senses may also increase your awareness for the present moment.

4. Take care of others

The spirit of giving is a heiter spirit, so include others in your New Year's Resolutions too. Why not surprise your parents with homemade cookies or a sweet card to thank them for their everlasting support? Or how about doing the groceries for your elderly neighbour? You can also be kind to animals! Walking dogs from the shelter will spark joy for both yourself and your furry friends in 2021.

5. Say yes to Heiterkeit more often

Whilst it is important to value our responsibilities and duties, we must not forget that life is short. In 2021, make it a priority to follow your heart. Having a wonderful time with friends on a weeknight? Why not do what makes you happy and enjoy yourself.

You prefer time for yourself instead? Then how about a night at home with your favourite book? You alone decide what your soul needs. Just say yes to the things that make you heiter!

New Year's Resolutions are a great way to make conscious choices and rethink our priorities. But instead of putting the screws on yourself with exaggerated self-improvement goals, shift the focus of your 2021 resolutions on experiencing as many moments of joy as possible. We wish you a happy new year filled with loads of Heiterkeit!

Image: Benjamin Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine

Words: Marina Hoyer

Marina Hoyer is a writer from Hannover, Germany who currently lives in Thessaloniki and Thassos Island in Greece. She works in PR and primarily writes editorial articles for sustainable fashion and lifestyle magazines. Apart from looking at fashion, beauty and lifestyle, Marina’s writing also depicts personal themes such as self-development, well-being or relationships.