Our View: Christmas to New Year's is time for reflection

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is an interesting time. 

Some people are trying to dig themselves out from under piles of wrapping paper so they can take a second to recover from the chaos of Christmas. Many people have to go back to work for just a few days in the middle of two breaks, which can be disorienting and lead to questioning what day it even is and trying to figure out how to be somewhat productive. Others will give up on the idea of productivity or progress entirely, and will take the chance to eat a few extra cookies or skip a few daily meditation sessions before having to crack down on their upcoming new year’s resolutions. 

As Eugene Lee Yang put it in a tweet encouraging people to do nothing during this week: “Make zero progress. Take all the time off. Go on vacation from your vacation. Be the least impressive version of yourself. Transform into a couch.”  

While we often do use this week between holidays to catch our breath, the downtime right at the end of the year tends to lead to extra reflection. We think back over the past year with all its highs and lows. Some people pick out and share their “top photos” on social media. Some re-listen to their favorite songs from their Spotify Wrapped playlist. Some take time to journal about their experiences and emotions through the year. 

As a newspaper, the Green River Star enjoys taking part in this spirit of reflection as well. The paper we put out between Christmas and New Year’s is our annual “Year in Review” edition, where we share some of our favorite photos, recognize the lives who joined us and the lives who left us, and think back about some of the biggest happenings in our community when it comes to news, people, and sports. 

Looking back on 2023, Green River and Sweetwater County had a largely positive year. While there are always frustrations, setbacks, and heartbreaks, it is always encouraging to see the way our community pulls together, finds solutions, and supports one another. It’s exciting to see the ways everyone gives back and the triumphs people are able to accomplish. We hope you enjoy looking back over the biggest news from the year as much as we do. 

It’s also been a positive year for the Green River Star. We’ve been thankful to share what’s happening in our community and hope we’ve been able to keep you aware, informed, entertained, encouraged, and connected. We’ve been proud to publish the county legals and other important information to continue to promote and support freedom, accountability, and transparency. As our team of our General Manager Jackie and Editor Hannah have settled into more of a routine, finishing up the first full calendar year in those roles, we’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to keep the paper going, along with the help from our part-time team members and important “stringer” contributors. 

As we all reflect on the year, it’s also natural, during this last week, to think ahead to the new year. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for our community next, and are excited to keep sharing it with all of you as we all move forward together.

 

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