If you’ve been following me for more than a year, this may look familiar…
I have an elaborate process I go through this time every year. I review the previous year and get ready for the one coming. I'm offering you a significantly abbreviated version. It’s time well spent…
Oh...and if you've been following me and reading these blogs I want to say a big thank you...I'm grateful for you.
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Semisonic
Simple, yet such a powerful way to sum up how life goes. Sometimes in order to move on, you have to leave something behind.
This is a great time of year to reflect: Say goodbye to things that are no longer useful; recognize things to keep; and, to welcome new possibilities.
New beginnings, cleaning the slate, starting over...just a few of the ways some people refer to a New Year. While cleaning the slate and starting fresh may sound appealing, there are probably more than a few things you want to hang on to.
This practice won’t take a lot of time and, you may be surprised by what pops up for you. The key here is to let what bubbles up be the answer, no second guessing... trust your brain! Then get curious after.
Are you ready?
Let's get to it...
Your challenge for the next couple of days…
Keeping in mind the past year take some time to explore these questions …you're definitely going to want to grab a piece of paper and something to write with...
What am I ready to leave behind?
What better time than the end of a year to ask yourself this question? You carry so many things with you year over year, maybe it's time to leave behind the things that are keeping you stuck, or holding you back. Perhaps its a relationship you've outgrown, a habit or feeling that you’re done with, an attitude, or even a tangible "thing"?
Just notice what comes to mind for you.
What do I want to keep?
While setting new goals is always exciting, it's important to remember some of the stuff that you already have that's pretty great. Stuff you want to keep. Relationships, health, friendships, work, useful practices that you do etc.
Or maybe something new that you started this year that you want to carry forward?
What do I want to add or have more of in 2024?
While "adding" always sounds good, you may already have some things in your life that you just want more of - family and friend time, me time...you get the idea here.
Maybe you want to start a new thing? Perhaps it's about having more choices in a current situation. Whatever surfaces for you, take note.
What have I put on hold that I am now ready to look at?
There’s no perfect time to do that thing you want to do. What if you considered taking one step towards it now?
The time will pass whether you do or don’t.
...and maybe most useful?
What have I discovered about myself this year?
Every year brings an opportunity for growth.
Maybe you've reconnected with a forgotten part of you?
Spend some time pondering "what did I discover about myself?".
Now take a moment. Breathe. Notice what you're feeling right now. Maybe you feel proud when you see how the year unfolded. Maybe you've found a gap that you'd like to address. Food for thought.
No matter what surfaced for you, you now have some information you didn’t have before. You get to decide whether you do something with it or not. Something for you to mull over in the coming days. That's the point - to get you thinking.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and Happy New Beginnings!
Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your self-confidence? Contact me I guarantee you'll be glad you did!
Warmly,
Ann
PS If growing your self-confidence is on your list for the new year, I have a new book/journal coming out in January entitled “The Confidence Recipe” perfect no matter where you are on the self-confidence scale. It’s a chance to check in on your self- confidence - your current default - and grow from there.
Yep! It’s that time of year again…