Reflection and Intention
As this year ends, not only are we wrapping up 2019, we are saying farewell to a decade. I don’t know about you, but for me, that feels huge! Especially when I think back on where I was ten years ago! During this time of year, it’s important to slow down and reflect on how the year went, as well as the decade, before we jump into the new year. This practice is therapeutic and helps set the tone for how we want to start 2020. Getting clear on our intentions for the new year helps shift our perspective from what we haven’t accomplished to areas of opportunity and growth.
Photo by Merne Judson III
Reflection
Look back on the last ten years and think about how much you have grown; how much you have learned and honor the person you are now. Here is an example of a reflection ritual. Get out a piece of paper or journal and contemplate the following:
Photo by Merne Judson III
- What I accomplished in the last decade
- List of disappointments or setbacks
- Lessons learned from setbacks
- Forgive whomever I need to forgive (including yourself)
- What I am most grateful for
Don’t beat yourself up for the things you didn’t do. Celebrate your successes, celebrate what you did achieve and focus on what you have done. By reflecting first, we create a mindset of compassion as we complete the year and decade and get ready to start anew. After reflecting on where we’ve been, it’s beneficial to set intentions for where we want to go.
Manifesting Your Intentions
I’ve never been a big fan of new year resolutions. As you look to the new year, see if you can shift the notion of making resolutions to setting intentions. Intention is defined as a purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct. Ask yourself, what intention do I want to have for the year ahead? Having a purpose-driven intention helps to ensure our motivation is aligned with our goals. Having goals are helpful if we are coming from a place of mindful awareness. Have fun with this practice by playing with creativity. One of my favorite things to do to manifest my intentions is make a vision board. As Elizabeth Rider explains in her article, The Reason Vision Boards Work and How to Make One, “Creating a sacred space that displays what you want actually does bring it to life. What we focus on expands. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you essentially end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day.” If you’ve never made a vision board, try it and have fun. It’s a wonderful new year exercise!
Love it Need it Leave it
Photo by Merne Judson III
Lastly, it’s important to look at what’s working for us, what we need and what’s no longer working. Just because something is normal, doesn’t mean it is healthy. The practice of love it, need it, leave it encourages us to take a deeper look at how things are going and what needs to change or stay the same. Come back to your journal and ask yourself the following questions:
1. What am I doing now that I should keep doing because it is good?
2. What do I need to stop doing?
3. What are new things I need to learn how to do?
Finally, as you reflect on the last decade allow for grace. Be kind to yourself as you set your intentions and goals for 2020. Check in with the voice(s) in your head. Make sure not to disparage yourself or demand unrealistic results from your efforts. Treat and speak to yourself the way you would a dear friend or loved one. Practice gratitude for all you have done and how far you have come.
Cheers and Happy New Year from Boost Counseling & Consulting!
Photo by Merne Judson III
Photos by Merne Judson III
References
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-scientific-reason-why_b_6392274