Whether the end of 2023 came at you in a rush or you've spent a few days or weeks reflecting on the past year and preparing for the one to come, there's no avoiding it now.

2024 is here and, if life is what you make it, we have a few helpful hints to kick it off on the right foot.

We're not talking New Year's resolutions, wild predictions or a twelve-month plan chock-full of goals - just some simple things you can do to clear the way for whatever comes.

Looking back

Let's begin by giving thanks for the gifts of 2023, before getting stuck into the New Year. 

Annie Sorell has been an Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor for more than twenty years and has helped many rural and regional residents through the trials and tribulations brought about by all kinds of internal and external stressors.

"When we close one year with gratitude we can then greet the New Year with an open heart," says Annie.

"Spend some time acknowledging and giving thanks for the gifts the year brought you, both the experiences to enjoy and those to learn from.  

"Appreciate the ways you have grown and evolved. Give thanks for the special treats like holidays, adventures, new people, or new interests." 

Annie says writing these things down can really help you focus.

"Notice how your body responds to the feelings of gratitude, let your whole body feel that appreciation, let it be "embodied" to feel its full power. 

"Some residue hanging around? Offer it up to be healed and released."

Wash it away

Fill your bathtub if you have one, or borrow a friend's.

Annie recommends soaking in a hot contemplative bath for 20 minutes. 

Soak in approximately:

• a cup of epsom salts
• a cup of bicarb of soda
• a cup of rock salt
• favourite essential oils of your choosing (optional)

Spend the time contemplating the year, allow regrets, worries and frustrations to dissolve away.

Get to know the new year

2024 is a leap year so get ready to celebrate with your much younger friends on 29 February.

The year begins on a Monday of the Gregorian Calendar which, according to Wikipedia, was introduced by Papal decree in 1582 and is now used by most countries in the world.

It is the 2024th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations. The term Anno Domini is mediaeval Latin, meaning "the year of the Lord", so has clear Christian origins.

It is the 24th year of the Third Millenium and the Twenty First Century and the 5th year of the 2020s decade.

2024 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon - which doesn't get underway till February.

NSW residents will have another election to think about, with a statewide local government election in September.

As for the rest of it, here's hoping it's a good one right across the Western Plains.