Fireworks, Reflections and Recharged Batteries

January 1st. The Hague.

Last night I tried to capture New Year’s fireworks with my trusty camera. I had planned everything: fresh batteries, a clean memory card, tripod set up on the balcony, perfect view over the skyline.

At midnight, the city lit up. Colorful explosions echoed in the sky and the whole neighborhood was cheering. It was beautiful — chaotic and vibrant, the way only New Year’s Eve can be.

I hit record. The red light blinked.

And then… silence.

Turns out, my freshly charged batteries weren’t so fresh after all. Within seconds, the screen went black. I scrambled for backups, but they were nowhere to be found.

So there I was, standing with a useless camera and an empty sky filling with light.

But after the initial frustration faded, something shifted. Without the lens between me and the world, I was more present than I’d been in years. I soaked in the moment, watched the sparks fall like rain, and felt genuinely grateful for a new beginning.

Sometimes, we try so hard to capture life that we forget to live it.

This year, I’ll aim to:

• Let go of overplanning
• Recharge my own batteries more often
• Embrace glitches and surprises as part of the story

Here’s to missed recordings, meaningful reflections, and a fresh start.

Happy New Year! 🎉