Farwell 2021! For some, the year may have flown by and for others, 2021 can’t be over soon enough. Before spending time creating New Year’s Resolutions for 2022, take a moment to reflect on your past year. What occurred? Did it challenge you, scare you, help you grow? 

While it is good to think ahead, you do not want to forget about all that you have been through this past year. It is important not to think of each year as 365 days that simply happened. The events that  occurred this past year caused you to make decisions, reflect on your values, and may have affected the quality of your daily life. Chances are, you have been through a mix of good moments and tough moments, some you had choices about and others that were out of your control. These moments are there to help teach us something…especially if we’re open and willing to learn about ourselves. 

Here are different ways that year-end reflection promotes personal growth that we can carry into the new year.

Improvements

Next, write down goals you would like to build on or improve from last year. Be selective and choose realistic, obtainable goals. Often it is helpful to reflect on our values and needs as we consider what to identify as our goals in the new year. For example, noticing that we have been struggling with not spending enough time with our family may help us make decisions that come up in the new year regarding how to prioritize our time, increasing mindfulness skills to be more present or changing how we delegate resources to prioritize this goal.  Being mindful that change often does not happen easily or quickly, can be helpful to build off of the goals we have already begun as they already likely reflect our values and needs. 

Remember that improvement reflections are not for the purpose of making you feel bad. These are not to be considered failures. Rather these reflections help you recognize the change you value most at this particular time in your life. Once you think of the why things did not happen this past year that you wanted, you can apply these lessons for the next year.

New Changes

Finally, allow yourself to enjoy the changes and progress you made last year. Bringing this positivity into the new year and into progressing and solidifying your previous goals will help you continue to make the changes you are seeking in your life. 

The saying, “Life is a journey, not a destination” can be a helpful reminder that having a “good” life isn’t about meeting a series of New Year’s Resolutions but rather knowing and loving ourselves as we live out our daily lives, one year to the next. We make choices everyday about what we value, give energy towards…prioritize. The new year is a good time to review if our needs, values and priorities are aligned and if not, begin making the steps to correct them.

Reflection can help you grow as a person when you remember what you have accomplished, what can be improved, and what you are grateful for. Participating in individual therapy can help you prioritize your mental health and make progress on your personal goals. Please reach out to us at Mindworthy Therapy to learn more about making healthy reflections and making positive change in the new year.