Start the New Year with Self-Reflection

The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on where you’ve been and where you are going in the year to come.

If you’re not already doing this type of reflection, a journal is a great way to organize your thoughts and come back to them throughout the year. Here are some journal prompts to get you started down the path of self-reflection.

How can I bring joy to others in the coming year?

One key part of self-reflection is understanding your relationship to others and your role in the world at large. Getting outside of your head and being mindful of your relationship with others is the first step in determining how you can bring joy to other people.

You might come up with specific people or things you want to do, or you could leave things open-ended. Either way, revisit this reflection throughout the year to check in on your progress.

How can I embrace change this year?

As scary and overwhelming as change may seem, life would be boring if everything stayed the same all the time. In your journal, reflect on what scares you about change and how you can overcome that fear in the new year.

You might find that your feelings about change are tied up in a particularly bad experience that you can work to move past. Once you have a game plan in place, you’ll be ready for whatever changes come your way in the new year.

Where do I want to be a year from now?

Once you look back on what’s happened in the previous year, it’s time to set your sights on the year to come. I’ve written a lot about setting goals, and the start of a new year is a great time to do that.

Your goals could be personal, like losing weight or finding a romantic partner, or professional like getting a promotion or finding a new job. Ideally, you’ll have a healthy mix of things to work toward without overwhelming yourself or creating feelings of anxiety about getting there.

Again, check in on your progress throughout the year and adjust as needed. Then, when the end of next year rolls around, you’ll be all set to start the process again by reflecting on what you’ve accomplished!