cheer: reflect
First, let me just say what a wonderful time I've had with you during the 12 Days of Christmas Cheer. Thanks so much for joining Savannah and me as we prepared for the holidays by decorating, making special recipes, hosting holiday parties, creating DIYs, reminiscing on our holiday traditions, listening to fun Christmas music, and making our Christmas wish-lists.
Today, however, is a day to reflect on it all. And not just the past few days. It's a day to begin a reflection on the past year -- it's ups and downs, successes and failures, and to start forming goals for next year. I love when I get the chance to reflect because it allows me the opportunity to maximize what I've done well and reevaluate the things that might not have gone as planned. So, here are my tips for reflecting:
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1. FIND A QUIET PLACE
For me, I know that I need a place where I can unwind, relax, and allow my brain to stop thinking about everything else on my to-do list. I need to turn on some quiet music, grab a cup of coffee and my moleskin journal, and spend intentional time getting secluded and focused.2. KNOW YOURSELF
Are you a list person or more of an abstract thinker? When approaching your reflection time, be sure to give yourself the freedom to be who you are. If you like to brainstorm more abstractly, don't expect yourself to write out detailed lists. Maybe bring a blank piece of paper and some markers that you can draw your thoughts on or, if you're really a "free" thinker, bring a friend who can write it down or a voice recorder! Get creative, but allow your mind the freedom to brainstorm the way it was made to.3. BRING THE FUN
Especially if you aren't the list type or don't enjoy brainstorming in general, bring something fun along! I know I always enjoy a good reflecting and brainstorming session when I'm with a close friend and a cup of coffee. It just puts me in the mood to sit down and do some reflecting.4. TAKE YOUR TIME
Don't feel like you have to accomplish everything in one sitting. I like to think of my end of the year reflecting and goal setting as a few "mini sessions" - each one accomplishing something specific. For example, maybe you set aside a block of time dedicated to reflecting on this past year and your successes and failures. Then a few days later, you spend another block of time going over ideas that you want to accomplish next year. Lastly, maybe you spend another block of time mapping out the steps to making those goals happen.5. ENCOURAGE
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. If you're like me, you might have a tendency to set really unrealistic goals that only a superhuman could accomplish. Take a step back and realistically think about what you could actually accomplish. And, if you're reflecting on this past year, give yourself some grace. There is a big difference between ambition and compulsion. Check yourself and see if you have a healthy motivation or if you are pushing yourself too compulsively.
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Thanks again for joining along for the last 12 days! It's been a blast. As you may have noticed, I'm doing some updating here on the blog and I'm planning to get back to regular posting and fun DIYs tomorrow!
