Current:Home > Invest2023’s problems and peeves are bid a symbolic farewell at pre-New Year’s Times Square event -Elevate Capital Network
2023’s problems and peeves are bid a symbolic farewell at pre-New Year’s Times Square event
View
Date:2025-04-18 17:42:15
NEW YORK (AP) — One person wanted to get past anger issues. Others sought to turn the page on medical bills, work stress, insecurities, taxes, regrets, bad habits, bad hair days, COVID-19, worrying about what other people think, and “all negativity of 2023.”
People hoping to shed those and other problems converged on Times Square Thursday for “Good Riddance Day,” a promotional pre-New Year’s Eve event that offers a chance to, at least symbolically, cast away burdens, peeves and bad memories.
“The whole world is going through this. There’s lots of people going through bad experiences. Wars, inflation, life has been rough. I’m just hoping for 2024 to just give everyone a break from those terrible things,” Angel Villaneuva of Washington said after watching his personal banes — bad relationships and negative energy and experiences — go up in smoke.
Previous iterations of “Good Riddance Day” have involved shredders and a dumpster. But this year, Magician Devonte Rosero took a grill lighter to pieces of paper on which Villaneuva and others had written down what they wanted to put behind them.
For Carol Vera, that’s fast food and unhealthy snacks, now that she’s learned she has high cholesterol levels. But on a broader level, the New Yorker is sad about conflict around the world.
“We should be focusing on humanity, instead of fighting with each other,” Vera said.
Natasha Naheir was keen to be done with college applications, school, bad hair and makeup days, and fake friends. Naheir, who was visiting from North Carolina, is excited for 2024: “There’s a lot we can improve from this year,” she said.
Despite all the troubles of 2023, Villaneuva is optimistic, too.
“Some people might think it’s too good to be true to be hopeful or to wish for something, but I like to stay hopeful and positive,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Former Hunter Biden associate to sit for closed-door testimony with House committee
- Why Twitter's rebrand to X could be legally challenging
- No, Alicia Keys' brother didn't date Emma Watson. 'Claim to Fame' castoff Cole sets record straight.
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Steven Spielberg was a fearful kid who found solace in storytelling
- Connecticut mother arrested after 2-year-old son falls from 3rd story window
- USWNT's Alex Morgan not putting much stock in her missed penalty kick at World Cup
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- The Burna Boy philosophy: 'Anybody not comfortable with my reality is not my fan'
Ranking
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against NFL can go to trial, judge says
- National monument honoring Emmett Till to consist of 3 sites in Illinois and Mississippi
- The underage stars of a hit 1968 version of 'Romeo & Juliet' sue over their nude scene
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets expected to start for Inter Miami Tuesday vs. Atlanta United
- Singer Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters has died at age 74
- Takeaways from AP’s report on financial hurdles in state crime victim compensation programs
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Judge blocks Biden administration’s policy limiting asylum for migrants but delays enforcement
North Korea stonewalls US on status of detained soldier
Whitney Houston's voice is the best part of 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
All the Stars Who Were Almost Cast in Barbie
Lynette Hardaway, Diamond of pro-Trump duo 'Diamond and Silk,' has died at 51
Banned Books: Author Susan Kuklin on telling stories that inform understanding