Start a “Year in Review” Practice
I want to share with you a year end practice that I have been doing for a few years now. It is about taking a moment to pause, look at the small joys and heartaches of the year past, and prepare yourself for the year ahead. Before trekking forward into the new year and making all sorts of resolutions, pause and take stock of how far you’ve come - especially after this particularly painful nine to twelve months.
I like to do this in my journal each year, but there is no “perfect” way to complete this practice! You can take an afternoon away from the kids, and complete it all over a hot tea latte in Starbucks. Or choose a handful of points that speak to you, and do it in an hour. You could even do one small piece a day until it is finished. Make this practice your own, and complete it in your own beautiful way. (And on your own timeline)
For me, getting everything out of my head allows me to start each year with a clean slate, before I set any intentions or goals for the year ahead. And no pressure, by the way - you don’t need to finish this practice by December 31st for it to work! It’s a lovely way to look back and ease yourself into the new year.
What to include in your year in review:
The following are the categories that I like to include in my year in review practice, but feel free to pick and choose what you like, or even add categories that mean something to you!
I like to start off with a few sentences on how I am feeling about the past year. Nothing too elaborate; more of a wrap up!
The books I read; reading more books was an intention of mine for 2020.
The music that the kids and I had on repeat, and the albums we loved the most.
Important events and milestones, like birthdays, anniversaries, moving houses, big world events, etc. (I literally wrote: “Coronavirus - YIKES!” this year.)
A month by month review. I go through my calendar, and list out what we did each month in bullet points. This past year, we looked at a house that we had no intentions of buying (and we now live in!), I saw a Monet exhibit with my mom, and then Corona happened. In other years, I include things such as parties, trips, and other events that I want to remember.
The best decisions I made.
What went well in: business/work, finances, fitness, health, nourishment, friends & community, creativity, and overall.
You could also list out what didn’t go well, if you choose.
The biggest lessons from the year.
The hardest lesson of the year.
The biggest things I am grateful for.
A moment I won’t forget. (This past year it was on Hazel’s birthday, with her just cruising down the street in her pink Land Rover.)
Answered prayers. (My personal fave!!)
Small, unexpected joys. One for me this year is sitting at the fireplace with my coffee in the morning.
Choose a word or verse for the new year, to guide how you want to feel.
What about Goals?
After you complete your year in review, you might want to set goals or intentions for the year ahead. I personally like to set intentions, because they are softer and a little less… “grippy” than goals are.
Whatever you choose, I hope this year in review practice helps you embrace what is going well in your life, revisit happy memories, and let go of those thorns that have been sticking in your side.