Where the hell did this year go?!? Anyone else feeling that way? Just me? Wowza. I know they say time goes by more quickly as you get older, but this year has been exceptional. It’s gone by so quickly that my head is spinning. So, honestly, friends, this post is as much for me as it is for you. I need to slow down and think about the year gone by. Maybe you do, too. If so, here are five prompts to help you take stock.
1. What’s on your Highlight reel?
It’s waaaaaay too easy to focus on problems, frustrations, and disappointments. We all have them, to be sure. But when that’s what we allow (or train) our brains to go to, it can be tough to see the positives. I’m no Pollyanna, as you surely know by now. However, I do believe in the power of looking for the things we can celebrate. Even if they are small. So, what are your celebrations from this year?
2. Toughest moment AND What you learned?
I could do some wallowing. You probably could, too. It’s easy to get stuck there, so be careful. When we look at the most challenging moments of the year, I want to encourage you to look for what you can learn from them. Yes, they sucked. I have no doubt. AND they often can teach us something. Maybe the lesson is what to do differently next time. Or maybe we learn something important about ourselves. Don’t pass up the opportunity to take value, even from the hardest moments.
3. What do you want MORE of next year?
Pretty self-explanatory. More joy? More contracts? More vacations? Get creative. Think big. The only limitation is your imagination.
4. What should you say “No” to next year?
Is it a person? An activity? Maybe it’s a role? Consider making a long, exhaustive, all encompassing list that no one ever has to see. Get it all off your chest. Then go back through it and see what feels real and important.
5. Commit one regular act of Self Love
I have friends who have recently committed to volunteering in an animal shelter once a month. I know another who is going to make one new recipe a week. Acts of self love don’t have to be over the top, expensive, or meet any criteria at all, other than they make you happy. Need ideas to spark your creativity? Check these out.
I’m going to use these five prompts to help me take stock myself, and I’ll share my answers in the New Year. I hope you’ll do the same.
