River Roots Redevelopment: A New Year

Selina Pedi-Smith,

Founder, Pellere Foundation

Well, here we are - a whole week into a whole new year.

This time of year always comes with a strange kind of energy, doesn’t it? A mix of gratitude, fatigue, cautious optimism, and pressure. Because as soon as we re-emerge into the post-holiday world, we’re expected to have at least some idea of what we want to work on or do differently for the next 365 days.

It usually comes out innocently enough.

“Great to see you! Did you have a nice holiday?”

And then, almost reflexively:

“Got any resolutions this year?”

I’m not sure if we ask that question to be polite, because we’re genuinely curious, or because we’re quietly hoping the other person says “nope,” so we won’t feel pressured to have any either.

All of this, of course, coming right on the heels of a six-week whirlwind of planning and hosting and socializing and magic-making.

So, I think we can forgive ourselves if we’re stepping into the new year a little tired, and a little wary of resolutions. I’m an introvert, so a little holiday merrymaking goes a long way for me. I’m sure some folks can handle more, but I generally start each new year wanting to take a nap, not deliver a PowerPoint presentation on my life goals.

But I do, actually, have a resolution-adjacent thought. For myself, sure - and maybe for others too. And I don’t think it’s going to take some grand effort, thankfully. Just… a bit of ongoing intention. With as many naps as needed.

I plan to keep aiming toward connection.

That’s it. I don’t have a perfect definition for it, and I won’t pretend to know what real connection looks like for everyone. I just know it’s something I want to keep working toward.

Not because disconnection is any sort of new-fangled thing, but because what is new, in this digital world we find ourselves in, is how loud it has become. Even without being on social media, it’s hard not to feel surrounded by carefully curated, performed versions of reality. From cable news panels to online outrage factories, there’s no shortage of voices competing to be the loudest in the room – all shouting out just how disconnected they are from each other and the world around them.

And I find myself wanting - no, Needing - to participate in something different.

For me, that probably looks like conversation. Not the kind meant to score points or prove a position. Not the kind that needs to go viral. Just… human conversation. The kind where laughter and excited chatter are welcome, disagreement is allowed, but anger doesn’t get control of the volume knob. The kind where there’s room to stay curious. Room to listen. Room to remember that there’s a person on the other side of the exchange.

I have a feeling that if I fill the coming year with more of those kinds of conversations, I might feel less like I need to perform my way through it. Less exhausted by the end. More grounded in the middle.

I might even have the energy for a few more parties next holiday season.

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Rachel Brosnahan is the Community Engagement Coordinator for River Roots Redevelopment. Want to help us rethink what redevelopment can look like—together? Follow the conversation and share your thoughts with us on Facebook and LinkedIn, or reach out directly to rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org. We’d love to hear from you!