A Year in Review
I dread the end of each year. You‘re forced to reflect on everything that has happened in the past 12 months (or what did not happen), and you‘re expected to plan the year. What have I achieved? What do I want to achieve in the future? Even though self-reflection is uncomfortable, it is the first step to recognize what aspect of your life you want to work on. Here is how you can do that:
Celebrate both big and small achievements: I graduated high school this year and got myself out of my comfort zone when I traveled with my friends!
Acknowledge that challenges are a part of life: when I was in Barcelona with my friends, my phone got stolen in a club. That was the lowest point of my year because I lost all of my cherished photos from high school and with friends (and I had saved my money for it for so long). In hindsight, much worse could have happened, and material things are replaceable. But it felt like my sense of safety and privacy was taken from me, making me doubt my judgment of my surroundings. This experience challenged me to make the most out of shitty circumstances, and to move on with life because the past is the past.
Express gratitude and appreciation: whether you‘re grateful for people, experiences, or opportunities, make sure to make a list of them. If you want to maintain a positive mindset for the upcoming year, this step is crucial because it helps you recognize the consistent joys in your life. For example, I am grateful for my supportive parents, my best friend Frida (for being a warrior when shit went down with my phone), and my education.
Set intentions for the future: I am purposefully writing intentions, not resolutions. Why? Because while resolutions are often specific all-or-nothing goals (“I will lose 10 pounds by the end of the year.“), intentions are more flexible mindsets and directions you want to embody (“I intend to prioritize my health and well-being by making mindful choices about nutrition and exercise.“).
-Saskia
