Wielding the Power of Self-Reflection for a More Intentional New Year

By Tiffany Rogers, MA, LPC, NCC (she/her/hers)

For many of us, the end of one year and the beginning of a new one is a time for planning and goal-setting. As we make plans for the new year, it can be helpful to reflect on the year past and evaluate what went well, what could have gone better, and how to make changes that lead to desired goals moving forward. 

It’s important to balance self-reflection with self-compassion and acknowledgement of progress made throughout the year, big and small. Without that balance, self-reflection can quickly become a depressing activity where self-judgment and self-criticism reign — we don’t need any more of that! Instead, allow this to be practice that elicits curiosity about your experience and cultivates empowerment through increased self-awareness.

Here are some prompts to help you get started: 

Relationship with Self 

• How did I express my core values over the past year? 

• What was the overall tone of my self-talk in the past year? 

• How did I practice offering myself acceptance, compassion, and kindness?

Wellness 

• In what ways did I care for my body, mind, spirit, and overall wellness? 

• How do I want to continue or enhance routines and practices that support my wellness? 

• How did I make space in my schedule to rest, play, relax, and recharge? 

Work/Career

• What’s my current level of satisfaction with my work life? 

• Do I believe that I am being compensated fairly and appropriately? 

• How have others responded to my attempts at setting boundaries and limits at work? 

• Does my work culture align with my personal values and needs? 

Relationships with Others

• How satisfied am I with the quality of my personal relationships? 

• In what relationships do I feel most seen, supported, and understood? 

• What kinds of interactions felt energizing? What kinds of interactions felt draining? 

• How did I practice communicating my needs and boundaries? 

• How have I expressed love and care in my relationships and to my community? 

Self-reflection is a tool that can support and even accelerate progress towards your overall goals. Once you’ve spent some time reflecting on the past year, consider how you might want to integrate self-reflection into your daily, weekly, and monthly self-care routines.

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