The Sixth NYE Fireworks in Sydney when Families are not with You

Like most people in Sydney, I found a good spot in a park to watch the NYE fireworks on the last day of 2022.

This is the fourth year that I’m able to enjoy the NYE properly, out of my six-year journey in Australia, far from my family. In the past, at least twice in a row, I was working a hospitality shift on NYE, watching the fireworks at great locations as a staff member: When the fireworks lit up the sky with beautiful colours surrounding all areas of the Opera House, it was amazing, but at that time, there was no one by my side who was close to me.

There were many moments like this when I was studying, and later working overseas. Being away from my family for extended periods of time, whether for study or work, has been difficult. But I’ve learned to cope with it, or at least try to. It’s always nice to have someone with you on special occasions like Christmas and New Year’s, especially when you have no family to spend them with.

I remember hearing someone say that Christmas was getting boring because they always had to visit their parents or grandparents, and it made me realize how fortunate they are to even have that option. For those of us who are far from our families, we have to find other ways to spend these special days — whether it’s with others in the same situation, joining someone else’s family, or even just spending it at work to avoid feeling lonely and miserable.

I feel grateful to have experienced all of these options and had people willing to share their special days and their families with me or provide me with work opportunities. It’s the same with Valentine’s Day — when I am single, it’s nice to spend it with friends rather than feeling alone.

The fireworks are always beautiful, but they would be even more special when I am sharing them with someone close to my heart. As I did on every special day in the past, I always make sure I won’t feel too alone so that I can enjoy the night.