Time to Reflect
Most of you know – and if you don’t know you likely won’t be surprised to learn – that I am one who reflects at the end of each year. Entering the month of December always feels like stepping onto a bridge, one that spans from the current year into the next. While the word “reflect” has a suggestion of “looking back,” my practice is to look ahead to what will be as much as looking back at what has been.
There isn’t a whole lot of structure to my process; mostly I sit and hold some questions, answer as truthfully as I can, and allow myself the space to dream a bit. Some of the basic questions include:
Looking back, what were the peak moments? The successes? The celebratory experiences? The moments of bliss?
What were the “valley”-esque moments? The challenges? The curve balls?
As I bring to mind this collection of moments – and sometimes this is supported by a bit of journaling – I allow myself to recall without too much judgement. It is really an exercise in acknowledging and accounting without the need for evaluating or grading any of the experiences.
Having gotten a clear sense of what has passed, I then look ahead and ask myself:
What do I want to be able to say 12 months from now? What do I want to have accomplished?
How do I want to BE over the next 12 months?
If I could choose a word to be my THEME for the next year, what would that be?
This last question is the one that ends up taking most of my brain-power. I’ve learned that having a word, or a theme as it were, provides me with an anchor. When I’m overwhelmed, or confused, or in any way uncertain of what to do (or how to be), letting myself settle into the energy of whatever theme I’ve chosen has been really helpful. The theme informs my actions, my choices, and how I show up.
Sometimes, as I sit in contemplation, I realize that there is wisdom in carrying the current theme into the next 12 months. This is true when I feel like there is more growing and stretching for me to do in relation to that particular theme. And sometimes, it’s obvious that it’s time for me to choose something new.
How do I determine my theme? Well, at heart I’m a word-girl. I love my words, and so I tune my internal radar to notice what words catch my attention. I look for words that spark something in me, words that excite me, words that seem to hold a sense of possibility and stretch in some way.
Now, here’s the thing: I’ve learned to be AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE as to what the word means for me. Historically, once I’ve chosen a theme, it’s as though the universe gives me every possible opportunity to test my mettle against it. If I haven’t been clear, then my theme can show up in ways I wouldn’t have anticipated. I still grow, stretch and learn, just in more uncomfortable ways (at least, this has been my experience).
I’ve also learned to be unattached to any particular outcome related to my theme. While I do set a few goals that align with my chosen theme, the process of choosing a theme for the year is less about specific outcomes and more about me growing into a fuller, better version of myself. I know that I have so much capacity within me, and that allowing myself to stretch into that capacity is a gift to myself and to those with whom I work, live and play.
Once I’ve chosen my theme, I make sure to surround myself with it. Sometimes, this means creating a vision board (or adding to an existing one). Sometimes, it looks like me posting sticky notes around my space as a visual cue. Sometimes, it’s about creating a “themed playlist” or at least choosing a song that I can dance to. Sometimes it’s about incorporating a new routine or practice that will keep me connected to the theme energetically and physically. There are so many ways to keep your theme front and centre, once you’ve chosen it.
Bottom-line: we are entering a time of slowing down and reflecting. I assert that doing this consciously and deliberately can actually inform and support how we stretch and grow. As 2022 slowly but surely segues into 2023, I invite you to think about what has been, what is current, and what will be. Allow your thoughts to launch you into the new year with a sense of direction and purpose. It’s a way of inviting more ease into your world; and a little more ease is something we can all use.