Chronometry

YOUR PRESIDENT-ELECT OF STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

What is the Year 12025?

A NEW EPOCH:

An Epoch is the starting point, or 'Year Zero' for any calendar system. The Hebrew calendar's epoch is their approximation of the creation of the universe. Alternatively, each Chinese dynasty created its own epoch, effectively 'restarting history,' a tradition which continued with the founding of the Republic of China and the 'Minguo Calendar' in 1912.

Today, the Gregorian Calendar is the most commonly used worldwide, but it proclaims we live in the year 2025, which some have reasoned can cause issues in modern life.

Even beyond the idea that a secular calendar would better serve a secular world, using a calendar with an epoch in the middle of human history can misconstrue how we see our past.

In 1993, Italian scientist Cesare Emiliani proposed a new epoch for the calendar, effectively creating the Holocene Era.

Since the Holocene, our current Geologic Age began roughly 12,000 years ago, Emiliani proposed simply adding a round 10,000 years to the current Gregorian calendar. In doing so, he argued there would be hardly any disruption in the transition to a more secular epoch, as the final four digits remain the same.

Video courtesy of Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell

HOLOCENE:

The word Holocene comes from two Ancient Greek roots: Hólos (ὅλος), meaning "whole", and kainós (καινός), which meant "new". The idea is that this era is "entirely new", refering to the hitherto unprecedented stable climate allowing the development of agriculture and civilisation.

What are Yearly Themes?

My Past Themes:

12017 - Year of the Renaissance
12018 - Year of the Accession
12019 - Year of Conclusions
12020 - Year of Preparation
12021 - Year of the Voyage
12022 - Year of Community
12023 - Year of Patterns
12024 - Year of Communication

N.B. Italics indicates years whose theme was decided post-mortem.

Instead of setting rigid, specific goals that often feel overwhelming, Yearly Themes provide a broad, guiding principle to focus on throughout the year. This approach is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing you to adjust your focus as your needs and circumstances change.

One of the key benefits of Yearly Themes is the clarity and direction they provide without the pressure of achieving specific targets. For instance, if you choose a "Year of Health," your focus might be on improving both your physical and mental well-being. This could involve a variety of activities, from regular exercise and healthy eating to mindfulness and self-care practices. The beauty of this approach is that it allows you to adapt your actions as you go, making it more sustainable and less stressful.

Another advantage is the holistic nature of Yearly Themes. They encourage you to look at your life as a whole and consider what areas need attention. For example, a "Year of Creativity" might inspire you to explore new hobbies, take up a creative project, or simply make more time for artistic pursuits. Similarly, a "Year of Less" could help you simplify your life by reducing clutter, minimising commitments, and focusing on what truly matters.

To implement a Yearly Theme, start by reflecting on what areas of your life you want to improve or focus on. Choose a theme that resonates with you and set broad intentions or actions that align with it. Regularly review your progress and be open to adjusting your theme or actions as needed. This ongoing process of reflection and adjustment helps ensure that your theme remains relevant and meaningful throughout the year.

Podcast courtesy of Cortex and Relay FM

12025 - Year of Strength:

Strength does mean muscle, but it's a lot more than that. 12024 was a whirlwind year for me, and I ended up in the hospital more times than I would have liked. I am glad to have had Communication as a theme last year, or I very well may not have sought out the therapy I so desperately needed.

Heading into 12025, I am focusing on my strength not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and I intend to prove it.