When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, it is common to feel a mixture of relief and euphoria. However, for many people, not managing to eat the 12 grapes on time or skipping a New Year’s Eve ritual generates an uneasy feeling that the coming year is “marked” by bad luck.
But what really happens in our mind if we do not comply with this tradition?
Will I have a bad year by not eating grapes?
From an objective point of view, absolutely nothing negative will happen to your destiny by not finishing the grapes. The impact of breaking a tradition is not mystical, but psychological. As explained by CuidatePlus psychologist Olga Albaladejo, an expert in Integrative Wellness and Health, the effect depends on your “locus of control”.
If you have a flexible mindset, the most you will feel is mild frustration at having failed in the social ritual. However, if you possess rigid superstitious thinking, you may experience anxiety, anticipatory fear or the feeling of a “bad omen”.
In these cases, the person gives a symbolic act the power to decide his or her future, which generates unnecessary stress that could affect his or her emotional well-being during the first days of the year.
The psychological function of traditions
Far from being simple customs, Christmas traditions act as emotional anchors. Olga Albaladejo points out that these rituals fulfill three vital functions for our mental health:
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Provide predictability: In an uncertain world, knowing what will happen on December 31 reduces anxiety.
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Reinforce identity: They connect us to our culture and family, giving us a sense of belonging.
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Emotional stability: Maintaining these habits helps us to go through stages of change or grief, functioning as a structure that sustains us.
Difference between ritual and superstition
It is essential not to confuse the two concepts. A ritual (such as grapes) is an action loaded with symbolism and affection that seeks group connection. Superstition, on the other hand, is the belief that a behavior will bring us luck without a real cause and effect relationship.
We often resort to superstition to try to gain control over situations we cannot handle. The real benefit of New Year’s Eve lies not in the “magic” of the grape, but in the meaning shared with our loved ones.
What to do if you did not comply with a tradition
If this year you were unable to complete the grapes or failed in your favorite tradition, the first step from psychology is to apply cognitive restructuring. This consists of identifying and questioning those automatic thoughts that tell us that the year will be bad.
It is essential to rationalize the situation and understand that the results of the coming months will depend on our decisions, daily effort and real circumstances, and not on a symbolic act executed under pressure.
The importance of flexibility and self-control
Another key aspect is to encourage flexibility in rituals. We must remember that the true value of these customs lies in the emotional connection they generate and not in their perfect execution. If for some unforeseen reason the tradition could not be fulfilled at the exact moment, there is always the possibility of creating a new meaningful ritual the following day.
For example, you can take the “grapes of purpose” on January 1, transforming frustration into a moment of personal reflection on the goals for the new cycle.
Focus on controllability and self-pity
To prevent anxiety from lingering, it is advisable to direct all of our energy toward aspects of our lives that we can control, such as setting realistic goals and cultivating healthy habits. Instead of dwelling on a past event that has no causal relationship to the future, psychology invites us to practice self-compassion.
Accepting that life is full of unforeseen events helps to reduce the suffering generated by mental rigidity, allowing traditions to enrich us instead of turning us into their slaves.
