Before we can really step into where we’re going, I think it’s important to reflect on how far we have come. Whether you wanted to or not, or even realized it or not, this year most likely came with some challenges and successes and ups and downs - as every year does - as is the experience of living. I think it's important and meaningful to honour all the work you have put in this year and to acknowledge the mountains you have climbed and challenges you overcame.
To be honest, when I first had the idea in the middle of December to do a-year-in-review self-reflection, what's the first thing I did? I googled questions to ask myself of course! Seems like our first reaction to finding answers to something about ourselves, is to look outside of ourselves! This doesn’t make sense, does it. Why would I search for answers to questions about myself, outside of myself? So after roughly scrolling through a few very generic websites that didn't offer the type of questions I was looking for, I closed the browser and just sat with myself for a while, and asked myself, what do I want to reflect on?
What kinds of questions do I want to ask myself? What makes sense for me based on the year that I experienced, personally?
Reflect and honour the journey.
When I decided to take the scary plunge inwards, I was able to ask myself questions that I know will provide the most reflection and introspection that I’m looking for in this exercise. After all, I would know best what to ask myself over any websites or external sources. Only I have experienced the very personal in's and out's of what made this year what it was for me.
On that note, I have provided some of my own journal prompts below but I encourage you to think of some of your own journal prompt questions! Give it a try and see what you can think of. 😊
How do you ask yourself the questions that will best reflect the answers you are seeking?
o Go within first. Instead of seeking answers outside of yourself, try asking yourself first, and just see what comes up. Maybe you'll be surprised at what comes up for you. That's the great thing about journaling, sometimes you start writing something random and then something comes up that you were not fully conscious of. Journaling can be a great way to uncover some subconscious thoughts or feelings if you let it flow and see what happens!
o Get quiet. Give yourself some time and space to sit quietly in a safe space for a few minutes. Take a few deep breaths and relax your shoulders and find some peace. This could be almost like a light meditation of just sitting quietly.
o Ask yourself. Then when you feel comfortable, ask yourself, what do I want to reflect on this year? Think about some moments that stick out in your mind. Can you recall some big themes or lessons that came up for you this year? You can start by trying to fashion some questions out of that. You can be as broad or specific as you want. Again, remember there's no rules, this is about you, for you. Whatever you think makes sense for you, does [italics] make sense for you. Remember to trust yourself, and your thoughts and feelings.
o Take time to complete the exercise. This is a process and doesn't have to be completed in one day, or in one sitting! Take as much time as you need. When I wrote my questions, I wrote them in the middle of December and I'm just getting around to answering them hopefully, by the 31st of December, if not later. And then I may want to take a few days to reflect and write so I can write as much as I want without getting too tired. Ideally, I wanted to complete mine before the new year but life happens and sometimes you just gotta go with the flow. :P
Some Tips for Journaling:
o Practice openness and honesty in your writing. I think that everyone has their own style of writing and what they want to talk about or how deep they want to go but for me personally, I try to be open and honest with myself. And even know it’s being written on paper, I like to pretend that no one will be able to read my journal so I can be more brutally honest about what I'm truly feeling, rather than glazing over some deeps thoughts or feelings that are just for me, out of fear that someone will read it. Letting go of worries about what’s being written on paper helps me to open up to myself more.
o Be graceful with yourself, it's a practice. I remember the first time I sat down to write something in my journal, it was so intimidating! I don't even know why. Haha Like, it's just writing words on paper. But maybe on another level, it feels like bearing my heart and soul and exposing my feelings to myself and possibly others. Very scary stuff at first, for me at least! So I started by writing the most neutral stuff, like a list of things I wanted to do that month or writing exact events of my day from an objective stand point. And then when I became more comfortable with writing down my thoughts, I was able to open up more about how I was feeling about things in my life that mattered to me in that moment. Things that I would think or feel but never tell someone else.
o Give it time to develop. Give yourself some more grace. Maybe the first year you try a reflection, it's very basic. And maybe the next year you try again and it’s more in depth and heart-opened and honest. These things take time and the more you do it, the better it can get. I think anything to do with self-reflection, can be a very difficult feat so be gentle and allow it to develop overtime.
o More practice can mean more comfort. If you enjoy the experience of answering a few journal prompts, you could even try making this into a regular practice once a month or as needed. I enjoy writing a few things in the notes app on my phone daily. There's no structure to it, just whatever I’m interested in that day. I enjoy writing my thoughts down when I have little breakthrough moments of clarity so I don’t forget an important thought and I enjoy reflecting back over the months to remember how I was feeling or what I was going through at a particular time.
o Enjoy the process. I think journaling can actually help to develop a stronger with relationship with yourself. In a way, it’s like writing stories to yourself and talking to yourself. We always have these thoughts in our heads that we are thinking all the time but when I write it down it’s like I’m talking to myself nicely and developing a positive relationship with my thoughts.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff!
The questions provided below are based on a very personal self-reflection for myself however, feel free to steal them! Or just use them as a guide for some of your own questions. Or ask yourself completely different types of questions! There's no rules to this, it's completely personal and unique. 😊
Christie's reflection journal prompts for the year of 2021:
What were some of my biggest challenges this year? That did they bring me?
What did I learn about relationships?
How did I feel supported and guided this year?
What were some big milestones or moments to remember?
How did I push my limits or go outside of my comfort zone? How did this help me to grow as a person?
How did I take care of myself this year?
What are some important lessons that I want to carry through to next year?
What am I letting go of that I have learned no longer serves me?
In what ways did I connect back to myself this year?
What made me the happiest this year? What made me the most unhappy this year?
When did I feel not aligned? When did I feel aligned?
At this point, I have not completed my reflections however, I'm excited to see what comes up and what I can carry through to the next year and moving forward with my personal growth.
One thing I know is going to be a big theme for me next year is cultivating personal happiness. Over the past year, I have recognized the importance of this lesson and how my soul wants to grow with this in mind. When I do my reflection, I anticipate it might bring in some moments to remember how the theme of happiness has been developing for me. Some areas where it was lacking and some areas where it was brought to light. My reflection might tie together how this past year has led me to where I am now and how it’s all a divine, connected experience.
Reflection can be a great catalyst to gain perspective on what has occurred and can help to gain clarity on what to cultivate and release moving forward.
I would love to hear some your personal journal prompts or things that came up for you in your reflection in the comments below!
Happy Reflections and Happy New Year!
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