Happy New Year 2015 and a warm welcome to this website Mindfully Mindful.
It’s that time of the year when we want a fresh start and reflect on the year that has just passed, if we haven’t done so already. We look back at what we have and haven’t achieved in the past twelve months and what we hope to achieve in the coming twelve months.
Be easy on yourselves whilst reflecting, especially if you’re not where you thought you might be or if you haven’t ticked things off your list that you had hoped to. Focus on your achievements, no matter how big or small – an accomplishment, is an accomplishment no matter the size of it. Pat yourself on the back for what you did manage to do last year and try again for what you didn’t.
Being reflective isn’t about giving yourself a hard time, so go easy on yourself, like you would with a friend. Give yourself some positive advice of how you can overcome barriers and achieve your goals.
Don’t overwhelm yourself but when you’re ready, grab a pen and paper and jot things down about the year that has just passed. Events that happened and how they made you feel, get it out of your system – this is a great way to get thoughts out of your mind. Some events may leave you feeling stressed and anxious, write these feelings down too.
2014 was an eventful year for myself, starting off with personal illness and a quarter of the way through the year dealing with my fathers ill health and supporting my mother through it, whilst constantly feeling stressed and anxious throughout the year.
Having had such a colourful year, in December it occurred to myself that I should take some time and reflect on the last twelve months. It filled me with dread having to drag up old feelings that I had buried and put to rest but, then I thought that unless I address them they will pop up in my 2015, which I wasn’t prepared for as, I wanted 2015 to be a fresh start on a clean slate. So, I just grabbed a rough piece of paper and started writing things down that I did throughout the year and it turned into a little letter to 2014.
“2014, you have been my greatest teacher in the good, the bad, the happy and the sad! You have bought out strengths and abilities in me that I never knew I had. You taught me many lessons this year. You taught me how to face my fears and remove obstacles. You taught me that the past has gone, the future isn’t here and how to live in the present moment. You’ve also taught me how to forgive and to forget and to just let it go (insert Frozen theme tune). I’m grateful to have been part of some amazing celebrations and new beginnings this year and to have met some inspiring people that I have admired for so long (Cath Kidston, Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles). 2015, I am ready for you to teach me some joyful lessons! I’m ending the year with gratitude and hope. Here’s to an amazing year ahead for everyone!”
Good luck with your reflections and enjoy them!
