With the end of 2024 upon us, I wanted to give you an exercise and some journaling prompts to help with gently and compassionately reflecting on the year.
I have no idea what your year was like, but for me and many I know, it was an emotionally intense one. Like, oh, was I supposed to do anything but survive that? Nope! You’re good! 🙌😂
Transitions, endings, and all the waves of grief and acceptance that ebb and flow within those experiences…The intensity of new beginnings that leave you too exhausted for anything else… Or just daily playing whack-a-mole…
Maybe looking back nothing turned out how we wanted.
It’s all part of the human experience and the last thing we need is criticism or shaming. (Which seems to be a thing for many of us.)
“I can’t believe how much time I wasted!”
“How do I not have this done/fixed/settled yet!”
“How am I not over this (situation/person/pattern) yet?!?”
Again, nope! It’s too easy to start measuring external progress, get caught in comparison and lack, and lose our joy. In our reflections, we want to kindle every little spark of appreciation, not smother them.
Let’s also not forget that our lives are not fixer-upper projects. Our souls are not the sum of goals checked and accomplishments won. There is no permanent state of emotional bliss to attain in the human experience. Being in the process is enough. We are enough, no matter how tiny and tired we feel in the moment.
Ho’oponopono Prayer
If you are struggling with self-criticism or regret as you look back at your year, the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono prayer can be comforting and reparative.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.
Place it somewhere you will see it as a reminder. Put your hand over your heart and feel your breath as you say it to yourself. Repeat as many times as it takes to sink in. Tears are a normal part of the process.
Remember, we aren’t meant to have a perfect experience. We all are learning and growing and often we mess up and wish we would have shown up differently. Take the lesson and forgive yourself. Love yourself unconditionally and do the same for those you love.
Journaling Prompts
This is an exercise in appreciation and acknowledgment of our significant moments, with a little future preparation sprinkled in. There is no wrong way to work with the prompts. Just do the ones that appeal to you, scribble out as much or as little as you want, and don’t overthink it. 😉
- Something miraculous, magical, or serendipitous that happened
- Something that made you remember who you are
- Something that renewed your faith in humanity
- Something that fell apart and the lesson learned
- Something that came together (celebrate as is fitting, music and a happy dance works!)
- The thing you did this year you are most proud of (more celebration!)
- Something beautiful, breathtaking, or heartwarming you got to see or witness
- The thing this year you wish you could have a do-over on and the lesson learned
- The most impactful event of your year and how it changed you
- The 2024 moment you’ll never forget
- The person you’re most grateful for this year and why (P.S. You might wanna tell them)
- Think of the version of you from 10 years ago. What would they be amazed by if they could see you now?
- What would your 10-year-old child self love about your 2024 life?
- Think of your biggest struggle this year. Imagine getting a time-traveled note from your 90-year-old self telling how you overcame it. Write what the note says.
- Something old or outgrown you’d like to leave behind in the upcoming year
- Something good you’d like to amplify your experience of in the upcoming year
Now just take a moment to soak in all the wonder of how far you have come and all the yummy, juicy, goodness yet ahead.
Big love,
P.S. Need personal support? See if working with me would be a good fit.
2024 year end, end of year, inner critic, journaling prompts, reflecting, self care practice, self love