A New Year’s Reflection
A collection of prompts to pique your curiosity, stir your imagination and reflect on the moments that shaped the past year.
The new year stretches out before us with that familiar, elusive sense of vastness that only January seems to evoke. Resolutions, goals and aspirations greet us once again. Of course, setting goals and making changes in our lives is important all year round yet there is something undeniably significant about beginning the New Year with clear intentions. Here to experience for only a little while before we become swept away by life, it’s a time of collective reflection where we often find the most clarity and direction moving forward.
This window of time in January contains the momentum to create a fresh mindset and a strong foundation of values and aspirations for the coming months.
On reflection of my own life over the past year I’ve pondered on some questions that have played a pivotal part in my life. Here I’ve curated a selection of these thought-provoking prompts to help guide you and compliment your approach to a mindful New Year’s review.
Unlike other guides, these questions are open for your interpretation and crafted to encourage you to think authentically — use them as light-hearted cues, or rather, ones that encourage deeper introspection. Take from them what you will and delve into the ideas and pockets of inspiration that arise.
Read on to discover the collection.
With careful consideration,
explore these prompts to uncover
aspirations to shape the New Year.
In which ways was I surprised this past year?
Think of all the different ways in which your life unfolded since last January, how it was a masterful series of unexpected events and wild twists of fate. Perhaps you discovered parts of the world you never knew through spontaneous travel opportunities, took an unexpected career venture, uncovered a new or long-lost skill or met someone that changed the course of your life.
Whether or not your life looks vastly different to last January, I’m certain you faced crossroads, felt the pressure of imminent decisions and experienced profound moments of uncertainty and courage that ultimately lead to where you are today. This is my favourite topic to ponder, let it fuel your awe and wonder for the year ahead.
Who inspires me most and what are their traits that make me admire them?
Take a moment to think about what it is that makes this person stand out to you. Perhaps it is the way that they love their family and friends, their humour or adventurous spirit, their creative flair or the way they see the world. Perhaps it’s core values such as honesty, faithfulness and generousity that strike you. Consider which admirable qualities and behaviours of theirs you can emulate in your own life.
What is one bold move I aspire to take?
Whether this relates to your health, relationships, career, wealth, lifestyle or creative endeavours, apply this question to any life area and watch your life transform. Being brave and faithful delivers profoundly. Consider how you can carry yourself boldly moving forward.
How can I make joy, fun and playfulness a part of my day?
Stretch your imagination; what simple or creative things can you do to bring joy and laughter to your life? Artistic pursuits of any kind, physical movement, silly made-up games or after-dinner charades with your family or housemates — think as wildy and often as you can. Make it a priority to find things that bring you happiness and a sense of sillyness. It’s a gift to move through life with child-like wonder, don’t lose that.
What risks did I take this past year?
From small chances to wild leaps of faith, how did you get your heart racing? The distance between where you are and where you long to be lies in the risks you’re avoiding. Perhaps you still have some to take…
Did I open my eyes to new perspectives?
Do you challenge your own beliefs as much as those you don’t agree with? If your immediate response is no, this is your priority task for the year ahead.
Keep your mind open to new ideas, use discernment and don’t be afraid question the status quo.
What habits have I taken on?
Are your days filled with productive, growth supportive habits or have you picked up some unhelpful or unhealthy behaviours that you need to drop? Think of your day-to-day routines and overall lifestyle, I’m sure a few things come to mind. Are these habits ones that you intend to carry into this new chapter? Make note of this and take action if you really want positive change. If you’re seeking daily practices to support your health journey, discover a few of my non-negotiables here.
How much have I changed over the last 12 months?
This can be an easy question to gloss over, but beyond the surface it’s one that encourages a deeper introspection into our character. Maybe you’re not so worrysome, you’ve become more light-hearted or have grown in courage. Perhaps you handle difficult situations with more grace, see life through a wider lens and have more patience and empathy. Have you adopted traits that you are proud of, or maybe some that you need to let go?
Think all the different ways in which you have changed, or perhaps haven’t, across different life areas; allow what comes to mind to become a catalyst for your growth over the next 12 months.
I hope these cues invite curiosity, faith and beauty into your world this year.
Live it well.
These prompts are here to encourage you to think creatively and honestly about your lifestyle. Take the time to consider the past year and your previous hopes and aspirations and genuinely consider whether your actions were supportive of them. Now is a valuable chance to affirm what is important to you, what perhaps isn’t, and where there lies opportunity to make change happen.
I encourage you to set aside some time to consider these reflections and your aspirations in a place where you can focus your attention with no distractions. To keep your goals and aspirations at the forefront of your mind, revisit these ideas and come back to these insights throughout the year to spark your motivation and keep your actions aligned.
Thank You!
I hope you found value and inspiration in this post and I trust that these prompts will help to steer you towards an ambitious, brilliant and prosperous year ahead! Wishing you vitality, joy and peace with each coming day.
With love,
Brooke.