Happy Are Year! As we enter into the next year, reflecting on the previous one is a valuable practice that allows you to celebrate achievements, learn from challenges, and set intentions for the future.

During the days between Christmas and New Year, I find myself, as I’m sure many others do, thinking about the changes I’d like to make over the next 365 days (or 366 as the case may be for 2024!). The New Year energy along with having some time with no plans allows for some deeper thinking. However, when making new plans, it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come within just one year.

Now that celebrations are over, to bring you into the new year I’ve created this list of ways to reflect on the previous one, along with some journal prompts to help get you started.

Want to fully reflect on the previous year?

Here are some steps to guide you through the process of reflecting on the past year:

1. Create a Quiet Space:

Start by finding a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus without distractions. Perhaps a cosy corner at home, or even a local cafe.

2. Review Your Calendar:

Go through your calendar or planner to jog your memory about significant events, milestones, and activities throughout the year. Take note of both professional and personal experiences.

3. Journal Your Thoughts:

Keep a reflective journal to document your thoughts and feelings. This could be a daily habit or one big writing session. Dumping your thoughts on a page frees your busy mind up.

See Journal Prompts below.

4. Assess Goals and Resolutions:

Review the goals and those pesky resolutions you set at the beginning of the year. Evaluate your progress, and be honest about what you achieved and what may have fallen by the wayside.

This is a great time to figure out why you didn’t achieve what you set out to, and whether it is truly aligned with what you want.

5. Celebrate Achievements:

Take time to celebrate your successes, both big and small. Acknowledge your hard work and perseverance, and allow yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Not sure how to celebrate? Maybe treat yourself to something for your desk if you did well at work, or a nice dinner with your partner if your relationship has worked through something difficult. It doesn’t have to be big, but just a small acknowledgement will allow you feel good about your accomplishments.

6. Learn from Challenges:

Consider the challenges and setbacks you encountered. Instead of dwelling on failures, focus on the lessons learned. Identify areas for improvement and growth, turning challenges into opportunities.

7. Express Gratitude:

Make a list of the people, experiences, and opportunities you’re grateful for. Expressing gratitude can shift your perspective and help you appreciate the positive aspects of the year.

Even if you think it was a terrible year, I guarantee you can find something to be grateful for. Maybe your car got you places it needed to, you learned to cook something new that you love, or you finally paid off your mobile contract – list anything you can think of that has brought you some amount of joy.

8. Evaluate Relationships:

Reflect on your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Are there connections that need nurturing or boundaries that need to be set? Consider how your relationships contribute to your overall wellbeing.

9. Assess Work-Life Balance:

Evaluate your work-life balance. Are you satisfied with the way you spent your time? Consider adjustments that can enhance your overall quality of life.

10. Set Intentions for the Future:

By now, New Year’s Resolutions might seem redundant as they’re so often ignored, but setting intentions for the next year can shift your focus from January Blues to a fabulous new you!

Instead of just saying what you want overall, get specific with your goals. Want to lose weight? Give yourself a target and break it down to find out how long it will take and how realistic it is. Want to declutter? Decide your action plan for doing so or follow my guides here.