Finding Our Retreats

As the year winds down, exhaustion from relentless news cycles is common. To counter this, members of the Times Opinion team reveal their personal escapes — the routines they adopted, the activities they stopped, the cultural gems that comforted them, and the internet memes that brought laughter and brief serenity. Here's what they're taking into 2025.

Collective Retreats

One tradition that emerged involved synchronous TV watching with a longtime friend. The show, centering on a wayward therapist and his clientele, became an engaging shared experience, complete with texting favorite quotes and amusing comments during episodes. The recurring sentiment was a desire for a personal 'Derek' — a sentiment understood by those familiar with the show.

Visual and Mental Detours

A busy mind can be an insomniac’s enemy, but the lengthier the video, the better the lull to sleep. Soothing visuals with historical or exotic themes — like ancient Greek pottery — replaced sleepless nights with peaceful slumber.

Physical Relaxation Techniques

Simple relaxation exercises, particularly calming the minute muscles around the eyes, became a go-to strategy for returning to sleep. Imagining these muscles relaxing one by one until a deep tranquility arrives has been a newfound method for a restful night.

Timeless Comforts

Once again, the simple joys offered by a beloved TV series became a steady comfort. Despite shouldering the world’s relentless disruptions, a program featuring a congenial group baking delicacies in English tents provided a sweet reminder of kindness and simplicity.