MY FAVOURITE WAY TO REFLECT ON THE YEAR
Updated: Aug 25
As the final weeks of the year roll around, it's easy to get caught up in the end-of-year rush. Between wrapping up work deadlines, organizing holiday plans and ticking off relentless to-do lists, we often run across the finish line on autopilot.
Before you jump straight into setting ambitious New Year’s resolutions or worrying about everything you didn't manage to check off your list, I want to invite you to do something a little different this year:
Pause.
Reflection is one of the most powerful (and wildly underrated) steps on the journey to finding your authentic self. After all, if you never take a moment to pause and reflect on your experiences, how will you ever figure out what actually lights you up and what is simply draining your soul?
Without reflection, we miss out on acknowledging just how far we’ve come. We forget the lessons we’ve learned, the quiet moments of resilience we showed, and the brave steps we took along the way.
Taking stock of your year doesn't have to be a heavy, serious or an overwhelming exercise. In fact, it should feel like a joyful, refreshing gift you give to yourself.
My Sunset Reflection Ritual for the End of the Year
Every year in December, as the warm summer days peak, I set aside one quiet sunset dedicated to reflecting on my year. I sit in my favourite spot on the beach with my favourite iced drink and journal, take a deep breath, and as the light from the setting sun hits me, I start to think about the year that's just passed. No spreadsheets, no pressure and no harsh self-judgment, just my notebook, a pen and a sunset.
Sitting in that gentle evening air as the sun sets, I look back on the last 12 months. I celebrate the happy memories made, laugh at the chaos, appreciate the things I loved doing and gently acknowledge the things that weren't so fun. It is my absolute favourite way to practice genuine gratitude, embrace everything the year brought and build deep self-trust with myself, congratulating myself on my wins and reminding myself “I’ve got you” during the challenging times.
3 Simple Questions to Help you Reflect on the Year
When I sit down for my end-of-year reflection I keep it simple and focus on these 3 prompts:
What did I enjoy most about this year?
Think about the moments where you felt truly present, relaxed, or full of joy. Was it a spontaneous weekend trip, a quiet morning coffee in the sun, launching a project you cased about, or belly-laughing with friends?
Identifying what brought you genuine happiness helps you understand what aligns with your true self,
What am I most grateful for this year?
Gratitude elevates what we have into something extraordinary.
Reflect on everything that shaped your year. Remember the gorgeous people who filed your days, the wonderful opportunities you experienced, and those peaceful moments of self-care where you simply let yourself breathe. Look beyond the big milestones and give yourself permission to pause and appreciate the simple pleasures that made up your life this year.
Allowing yourself to fully immerse in the simplicity of gratitude for your everyday life steps you off autopilot, boosting genuine happiness and long-term life satisfaction.
What would I like to do more of next year?
This is where you begin to actively shape your future. Instead of making a long list of things you think you should be doing to meet everyone else's expectations, focus on what you actually want in your life next year.
How can you bring more joy, ease and authenticity into your life next year?
Use your answers from question 1 to inform you.
Do More of What Lights You Up (And Less of What Doesn't!)
This wonderfully joyous end of year ritual is so much more than just a journaling exercise. It gives you a dedicated moment to pause, remember the happy times shared with loved ones, and appreciate just how full your life is with things to be grateful for.
More than that, it shines a light on what your upcoming year needs to make space for so that you can truly thrive.
As we head into these final few weeks of the year, I encourage you to carve out one peaceful summer evening for yourself. Sit on the beach with your favourite iced drink at sunset, take the time to identify what bought you genuine joy this past year, and decide how you’re going to intentionally make room for more of those moments in the year ahead.
Life is too short to spend it living on autopilot or trying to tick boxes for other people. When you choose to do more of what lights you up and leave behind what no longer serves you, you start building a life that feels genuinely good on the inside; a life you will never look back on with regret.
I believe positive change doesn't stop with one person. Every time we gain a new perspective, build confidence or make a healthier choice, it has the potential to influence the people around us. That's the positive ripple effect of thriving, and it's something I care deeply about.
The more people who become part of this community, the more opportunities we have to learn from one another, support each other and create meaningful, lasting change. So, if you find something here that resonates with you, please share it. Let's make this a community worth talking about, not the internet's best-kept secret!
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