Taking down the Christmas tree ends the mystical magic and sparkly festiveness of early winter. It’s back to day-to-day perfunctoriness, practicality, and normality. The tree spot is empty. When I posted a last picture of the tree on social media, accompanied by a melancholic, “Ohhhh, soon the magic will have to go….,” a friend replied, “You will just have to make some new magic.” That’s it!

In an attempt to keep the magic going some leave their tree up until February. But it’s just not the same. It’s procrastination to let go of the old, clean the slate, and start afresh. “When one door closes another one opens,” is a common saying. It’s time to let the new year in and embrace the emptiness of the Christmas tree spot. It’s also an opportunity to fill it with brand new magic. After all, we had to move some things around to make space for the tree in the first place.

It’s an exciting thought to think of all the wonderful experiences, events, goals, achievements and new magic we can fill not only this new year with, but also a whole new decade. Emptiness is so full of potential.