A New Year

 New year. Happy new year! How fast did 2025 go by? Jesus Christ. What a year. Heavy on the heart, the mind, and the wallet - but did I have fun? Yes. All so worth it. 

So 2026 is no longer round the corner, or holding up little cards in front of you, remindning you of bills to pay in the new year -- that was somehwhat of a 'love actually' reference/metaphor. I tried, okay, I tried. What I'm trying to say is, 2026 is here, there's no ignoring it. Right in your face, in fact, almost a week-deep. How bloody mental is that!

Let's just say, it was a magical, yet eventful start..

'Homeless' on new years

You know, my best advice is: if you have an auto-locking door, please remember to bring your keys when you leave your house. I never forget this, intoxicated or not, so it had to be the one night I didn't drink, or at least *very* minimally, that this would happen to me.

Before we discuss that though: New Years. I remember one acute memory; a night spent at my Auntie's house, with my little brother, watching New Years fireworks from across the globe. Sydney was of course one of the first, given the time-zone shift. Huge fireworks, lights, sounds, millions of people, that iconic harbour setting - just one of the most mesmerising things I'd ever seen. It wasn't just that time I watched it, I watched it all through growing up, every year, but that night just felt so special. Nostalgic. Like a moment where destiny to see it in person was somewhat subconsciously created. A 13/14yr old, or whatever age, Jamie had no idea that by 20, he'd be sitting there, jaw firmly open, gazing at that exact event, and not only that, but a short 20-minute walk from where I now live.

It started with a nervous scramble. Millions were present, from the North Shores side of the bridge, all the way over to my side, near the CBD - City Centre - it was packed. I wasn't sure Declan would come, he had a quiet Christmas and we hadn't seen each other much, I worried about him, and was planning to just sit quietly and watch the fireworks. Then he texted me, and it all changed. 7:30pm ANZAC memorial: done. We head to the harbour, got past the various sign posts, made several changes to where we wanted to go, toilet stops, before hitting the spot - a patch of grass under the bridge, or well, just to the side of it. Quite literally look up, it's there. Did we have to dive onto the grass as others were about to sit? Do we regret it? Not at all. We were happy, but didn't expect it to get much better.

"Who the fuck brings a guitar to something like this," Declan said - a little loudly, as he does with his thoughts, always makes me laugh. The guy looks back at us. Not angry, but sort of warmly. Cowboy hat, jacket, quarter zip, a huge ruck sack, bag, and a guitar, held onto his gear by some form of heavy-duty string/wire. Immediately, I thought: Guitar? Alice in Chains? (one of mine and Declan's favourite bands) we could be in for a winner here. "What can you play mate?" he looked happy someone asked. As we sat down, and got more into our spot, he got his guitar out, and we asked "can you play Nutshell?" he could. This was significant for me, for us. Tough times lead me to 'Grunge' music, and gave me a more emotional connection to music. I know for Declan, very similar, if not the same. The raw sound of those guitar strings, the hurting, emotional vocals of the late Layne Staley, just overall what it meant - that's why it's special. It's not everyones cup of tea, some people turn their nose up at it, but truly? I couldn't give two shits. I had to hear it in person. Once he played it, only based off faint knowledge and memory, I knew we'd made a friend. Someone unique. 

Emmet, a Swedish traveller who'd recently left remote outback towns where he'd been working as a cattle farmer. A non-user of social media. A regular in hostels. Someone who would be perfect for stories in a pub somewhere 50 years from now. His guitar was gifted to him by a German girl at a hostel, he's carried it with him since. He slept homeless in train stations because of the time of year, and no hostel availability, yet kept smiling, playing his guitar, and I feel fortunate to have watched those 12 incredible minutes of fireworks alongside him, and my best mate Dec. The night was awesome. Me and Dec both got to try the guitar, we belted out Oasis, The Rolling Stones, Alice in Chains, America, the list goes on. I was hooked, and so my desire to learn guitar again began. 2026, I'm coming.

The fireworks though, they were awesome, all colours and sizes, everyone just absolutely in awe of what was in front of them. It's a dream for most people, especially us travellers. Dec goes home soon, and I think that was the perfect way to cap off 2025 in Australia - that moment was special. 2026 started right, and with a shot of Grey Goose - big thanks to the random bloke in the crowd, and the police officer that let us do it. 

End of the night then, the crowds are mental. Poor diversion, it takes us about an hour to get out, but that's okay. I offered Emmet my room at the flat where the lease was about to end, the least I could do, better than him sleeping homeless, on New Year's of all nights. He went with Dec, I shot off home. Got in, poured some wine, a little bit may I add, and took my shirt & shoes off - very significant. A friend was going by, I went out to say hello, and sure as I do, shoes, keys, phone all inside. Locked out. Shit.

1am-8:30am, nowhere to go. Eventually, I returned to the front of my home around 7:30am, and threw small, harmless pebbles and sticks at the window in the hope that my flatmates would answer. Humbling seeing people at the start of the night, the end of the night, and still being outside your house. Eventually, half-asleep my flatmate let me in. Best believe I slept well after that!

Maybe I could be annoyed, but it was quite funny. That's a story I won't ever forget. Cold, no phone, no keys, no shoes, raining - Happy new year!

Some start to the year, lol.

The BBQ

A short story, but I hold it dear. A shoutout to Beck, a great friend I met while working in Sales back in, I want to say, October?

He kindly invited me, and some mates round for some Hot Dogs, and fairy bread - Aussies never fail to amaze me by the way. My mum would've heckled me for eating sprinkles on buttered white bread, but the Aussies, apparently its a classic. Belting.

I actually arrived a day early, which made the day funnier. The day before, me and my six-pack of beers rolled into Bondi, only to realise I'd arrived way too early. A sobering taxi home, wait another 24 hours. 

The time came, I was first there - I pride myself on that, I hate being late. Beautiful house, right overlooking the beaches of North Bondi. Sun coming down, beers in hand, catching up, it has been a while. Beck isn't like a lot of people I've met. Got that 'brother' vibe about him. He checked in when I lost my job, offered me to come to this BBQ, even though it was really for work friends, that means a lot.

My night was cut-short, but I had the best time. Seeing old mates, sharing funny stories, and beers, great, great night.

Just a short one story wise, but it was a really great start to the week. Lots of time for Beck. Hey mate, if you're reading this, enjoy Hawaii - loads of photos!

Thinking about the new year

Are you like me when it comes to new years? Maybe overthink a little bit. Or, to be honest, a lot?

What will I achieve in 2026? Who will come into/leave my life? Will I still have the love & security I had this year, in many respects? Will this be the year I "crack the code" and develop my purpose into something next level? So many questions, it's easy to drown yourself out a bit.

So, New Years day, a bit rough round the edges, but thankfully clean & showered, I went for a coffee. My nearest cafe was closed. My favourite one, closed. Off in to the city I go, an excuse for a walk I suppose. A little Asian-ran shop on the corner, Oat Cappucino, large. Easy. They even put this little thing on the lip of the cup to keep it from going cold, I was just shocked. Something so small & simple, and my brain, because of how it works, got so fixated for about five minutes before I eventually remembered to relax, and read the book I took with me - Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain.

A chapter got read, not to spoil it, but discussing Bourdain's time at the Dreadnaught, a "shack" style restaurant, with a seafood heavy theme, given it's location. Sex, drugs, not quite rock 'n' roll, but it was pretty cool. All things Bourdain wanted, but as a pot-washer or whatever, hadn't yet achieved. Anyway, this isn't a book review.

I decided this year to lay my goals out clear. It includes wanting to drive, learn a martial art, learn Guitar, expand my knowledge of football and coaching it, all these things. The difference from last year? Clearly written down, albeit in my phone's notes, with clear writing. Alongside goals, my principles for me as a human, my strategy for dealing with challenges and attacking the year, my Mental Health plans to ensure I acknowledge how I feel and act on it, and finally my financial plans - both for Australia, and when I return home. My various principles, I really wanted to stick to them. Sometimes I tried to please people too much in 2025, maybe because it's a new environment, and I wanted to prove myself to others. Learning to say 'no', and surround myself with like-minded people who will support me, challenge me, offer advice, and ask me about my day, I want that. Why shouldn't I demand that standard for my life? Tell you what I want, I want reciprocation. I don't want someone to simply ask me how I am because I asked them, but because they genuinely care, as I do for those I truly care about. 

2026, I just see it like a construction site - in fact, every New Year. Sorry, I love my analogies, you should know this by now. But seriously, think of it like a house being built: birth is the purchase of the land, childhood is the foundation, it determines how you are as an adult in lots of ways, good and bad. Adulthood, choosing the structure of your house, who builds it, how you want it to look. Then, later on, what is in it, who is in it, how durable it is, etc. You get the metaphors and what I'm saying.

If you always think short-term, guess what happens to your house? If you always allow people into your life who you don't align with morally or even intellectually. what do you think will happen to you?

I want 2026 to be the year I execute on not only my goals, long-term projects and passions, but also my principles. When someone hears about me, or meets me, I want them to understand what I stand for, why I stand for those principles, and I genuinely want to improve my life by having that framework in place.

I called it the "New Year Bible," while I'm not religious, and certainly do not wish to offend with that title, I do intend to be 'religious' to that, and the principles I've now set in stone, and continue to add to. It's important to me.

I've still felt anxious, woke up late, and struggled in moments, but overall, I feel more outgoing, energetic, and happy starting the year. Work is back on Monday, some loathe it, and I get it, but I have my routine back, I know what my week looks like, money is flowing again, I can see friends, and spend time in an environment that I enjoy, and provides for me. I know my mood is already better at the thought of that.

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This weeks take-aways

Pretty much summed up in that NY post to be honest.

From a health point of view? I'm noticing the importance of diet, sleep and hydration; I fear the week leading up to the new year, I neglected that heavily.

The biggest takeaway though, just remembering you've got time. The more I remember that, the more I get done. Not that I will waste time, and I have loads to waste, but rather I have time to do all the things I want. I have the resources and means. The determining factor? Me. I need to go and do it.

I'm far from past some struggles and challenges, especially mentally, but I feel like I'm in good stead. 2026 is going to be special, I can't wait to see what happens,

Happy new year, and once again, thank you for being back here, hearing me, and hopefully not laughing at me too much!!

Have a great week, and also, feel free to write in and share your experiences: imbrokeinsydney@gmail.com

Take care,

Jamie