Holiday season can be a long, busy time. Family get togethers, last minute shopping for presents, and, of course, an endless slew of social events can make you feel completely run down when the new year comes around. For the holiday season, what if we changed the way we operated a bit? It could be a time instead of muddling through for us and just surviving the season to stop, pause, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead.
Why the Holidays Are the Perfect Time for Reflection
After all, it is the end of the year, and with that, comes an automatic sense of closure. This is a good time to step back and think about the bigger picture as we finish off projects at work and hit the final days on the calendar.
The Psychology of Year-End Reflection
We’re all hardwired to try to find meaning, patterns and relationships in life. There’s nothing like the end of the year to put a symbolic checkpoint in place, a natural time to assess how we did, what didn’t and how we want to proceed. Psychologists tend to point out that reflection can make us think through our experiences more fully and establish more clear goals.
A Rare Pause in Routine
And for many, the holidays are the one time of the year when they get some kind of break from the daily grind. Whether it’s a couple of days away from work or just less meetings taking up time on the calendar in general, this downtime can be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with what’s important to us.
How to Create a Space for Self-Reflection
Both reflection doesn’t happen without intention, and a little planning. If you’ve set the intention to think about your year, afraid you don’t have enough time to do it and feel you’re running out of mental capacity to think about it, here are some tips to carve out some time and some mental space to actually do the thinking.
Step 1: Set the Scene
Make space for yourself to be by yourself, somewhere quiet. This could be a comfy corner of your house, a tranquil bench in the park, or, hell, a long drive with nowhere to go. You might bring a notebook, a cup of tea, or anything else that brings you into the present moment, even if it’s just for a little while.
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions
Reflection is more than just thinking back; it is putting others to us questions. Some examples:
So what have I been proud of accomplishing this year?
- Where did I struggle and what did I learn from that?
- What new priorities or values do I have from the past 12 months?
Step 3: Be Honest but Kind
It’s easy to get caught up in what didn’t go well, but also make sure you celebrate your successes. The most efficient way to reflect on oneself is to find a good balance between honesty and selfcompassion.
Setting Intentions for the Year Ahead
Once past is reflected, it is now time to look forward. Intending is strong for direction of energy and focus towards the incoming year.
The Difference Between Goals and Intentions
Specific, measurable achievements. Losing 10 pounds, saving $5,000 — goals are those things. As for intentions, these are broader and value driven. For example:
- Goal: Run a marathon.
- Intention: Taking care of physical and mental health.
Both belong, but intentions can paint a purpose with more depth.
How to Set Meaningful Intentions
- Start with Your Values
Ask yourself, what really matters to you? Is it family? Creativity? Personal growth? Let them (your values) intend. - Keep It Simple
You don’t need a laundry list of intentions. At most, focus on a couple, or three things that really ring out for you. - Write Them Down
Putting pen to paper is somehow powerful. Write your intentions down somewhere that you will be able to see them for ourselves on a regular basis—whether that’s our journal, on our phone, or maybe even on a sticky note on our mirror.
Practical Ways to Recharge During the Holidays
Don’t forget to rest too–reflection and intention setting are great, but so is rest. Though there’s nothing wrong with binge watching your favorite show, true recharging is about way more than that! So here’s how to most fully take advantage of your downtime.
Embrace Slower Mornings
The holidays are a time when I don’t set an alarm clock. Take a walk or journal and linger over your morning coffee before the world wakes up.
Spend Time in Nature
Something about the outdoors is healing. So either you’re going for a winter hike or you’re just sprawled on the porch in a blanket and some fresh air does wonders for the soul.
Disconnect to Reconnect
If you are looking for something to do, try taking a mini digital detox. Put your phone on airplane mode for a few hours (or even a whole day!) and reconnect with loved ones—or yourself.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Although the holidays are a nice time to reflect, it’s also a time when it’s easy to falter. Here’s how to sidestep them.
Overcommitting
There are plenty of invitations and opportunities to say yes to, and yes – it’s tempting, but with each yes, comes feeling drained. Practice saying no and do what your soul loves.
Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Your holidays don’t have to be picture perfect. Cancel the expectation to deliver the perfect experience and select what really matters.
Forgetting to Celebrate Small Wins
Reflection and planning don’t always have to be serious— in fact, running, the last mile, teaches you to enjoy them. Don’t forget to celebrate even the little victories: like winning the challenge to learn a new recipe, or finally ordering that messy drawer.
Closing Thoughts: Welcoming the New Year with Clarity and Welcome the New Year!
The holidays are a time to breathe, with the year winding down. Reflecting back to bring clarity for the next year in order to purposefully walk into it. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present, intentional and kind to yourself.
Skip the fruitcake and channel your energy this holiday season into reflection. Who knows? But perhaps it’ll become your new favorite holiday tradition.
Frotpox 