A woman sits at a long, black wooden desk near a large window. She’s writing in a notebook, reflecting on the past year. Photo by Hannah Olinger via Unsplash.

End of the Year Guided Reflection (Tag)

December 21, 2021April 15, 2024 Molly Transatlantic Notes

It’s commonplace at this time of year to look back on the past twelve months and assess all the things we have overcome, achieved and learned. Depending on what life threw at us; yearly retrospectives can sometimes be relatively difficult to work through, but they’re worth the effort if we’re really intentional about wanting to move forward with purpose.

And isn’t that the point of any new beginning; including memories to look back on that fuel the possibility of a fresh start or utilizing what we experienced to nourish personal growth?

Life is not easy, it’s peppered with ups and downs that go from falling to floating to soaring and back again; hopefully not all in a concentrated amount of time — but sometimes it happens like that. No matter what the past year has delivered; we should all consider what we can learn from it and where we want this supplementary knowledge to lead us.

Whether it’s about setting goals, making resolutions or taking stock of our lives; here are 9 questions to aid your end-of-year reflection …

I haven’t tagged anyone specific to join this review of the past year but feel free to answer the questions yourself. If you share them in a blog post; please link back to this article so more people can join in and I can leave some encouragement for whomever takes part.

What 3 things (big or small) brought you joy this year?

2021 has been unbelievably tough, but these are three things that have persistently made me smile, laugh and/or experience moments of happiness:

Walks in nature (check out my Instagram for some of the beautiful flowers I find)

Cute dog videos (I’m corgi obsessed)

Getting back into blogging after taking most of 2020 off, including a number of months this year to care for my husband who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2019

What unexpected challenges did you overcome? What did they teach you?

I developed some pretty formidable anxiety and depression in 2020 that has gripped me throughout this year as well; all related to the many prolonged struggles and setbacks my husband faced as he fought cancer — he is doing well now. While it didn’t stop me from caring for him and learning new skills I never thought I could master (tube feeding, wound care, t-tube suctioning, to name a few) it did create some intrusive thoughts about losing him that never let my mind rest. While I still have anxiety, it has become manageable and I am able to self-soothe and/or tell my anxiety to *apologies for the language* shut the fuck up. It’s brash but it really works because I am consciously catching my thoughts before they overrun me — this is a huge step forward.

I wouldn’t say these words necessarily encapsulate how my year has progressed, but I do feel like I’m being drawn to them. I notice them a lot and experience a sense that I need to pay attention to them (they sometimes show up in my dreams):

Reciprocity … Intentional … Nourishment … Authenticity … Growth … Connection

The word ‘mindfulness’ is written on a piece of paper in cursive handwriting; it rests on a window sill. Photo by Lesly Juarez via Unsplash. — photo via Lesly Juarez/Unsplash

What is your motto/mantra for 2022?

This is genuinely intriguing to think about, and I feel like I need to give it some careful consideration; off the top of my head through, I think it could possibly be the words of a poem I wrote in December 2020 called More To Come:

“You deserve to see how much more love will come your way — hold on.”

How has your relationship with yourself changed?

I would say it’s improving, especially as I learn how to be kinder to myself instead of allowing my inner voice to be overly critical and negative.

What do you wish you had spent less time doing?

Procrastinating, second guessing myself and reading comments on social media; most people are encouraging and remarkably wonderful, but some have reached peak levels of unremitting misery that I need to consciously avoid.

Did you achieve any personal goals?

I didn’t really set myself any goals but an unexpected one that I hope to maintain for the foreseeable future is improving my blog stats. Since June of this year (when I started blogging again), each month has increased site views from the last — which means for 6 months straight each monthly period has set a new record (November saw 18K+ views). One of the things I consistently second guess myself about is my writing, it’s really good to literally see I can trust myself more.

A bullet journal decorated with flowers and inspirational quotes for new year’s goals and resolutions. Photo by Estée Janssens via Unsplash. — photo via Estée Janssens/Unsplash

What advice would you give yourself for the year ahead?

Practice more intentional joy; connect to what authentically nourishes growth; and practice reciprocity in all it’s forms (with people and nature) — that’s where those words come into use!

What are you going to focus on in the New Year?

I think if there’s going to be a “theme” for 2022 it should be ‘health and healing’. Through prioritising physical, mental and emotional well-being; including taking care of the soul, my husband and I can move forward into the healthiest versions of ourselves; coming out from under the shadow of cancer and enjoying more of the things that provide meaning and bring joy.

This is going to be my last post of 2021; I want to be fully present during the holidays and enjoy the rest of December as a time to relax, celebrate my birthday and see the new year in with renewed excitement and hope.

Don’t forget, if you’re going to answer these questions on your blog; please link back to this post so I can read your answers and leave you some love!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

What are your reflections about 2021? What are you looking forward to in 2022? Do you have any goals or resolutions?

Further Info:

Here are the questions if you want to take part in the tag: