YOUR GUIDE TO AN EFFECTIVE END-OF-YEAR JOURNALING SESSION

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Journaling - Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com

Folks, are you the type of people who like to reflect and evaluate the journey you’ve taken in a year? Well, I’m much of a reflective person, so I do enjoy reviewing my journal and seeing the kaleidoscope of my life throughout the entire year.

I view end-of-year as an ideal time for me to take a pause and evaluate everything that has happened this year by using my journal as reference. I don’t go much into detailed questions, but rather observing the highlighted events.

Here I’m sharing with you a guide to an effective end-of-year journaling session. 

1. Highs and Lows

Open and review your journal, if any, and list down your highs and lows. What are the moments that made you feel proud of yourself? Whether it was achieving a long-term goal, forging stronger relationships with friends and family, or successfully navigating new opportunities at work, these moments brought immense satisfaction. These highs acted as reminders of your resilience and the power of persistence. 

On the flip side, the lows might test your limits and faith. There might be times when you feel overwhelmed, burned out, and uncertain about the future. The stresses of balancing work, personal life, and self-care at times seemed insurmountable. But as difficult as those moments were, they also provided valuable lessons in vulnerability, patience, and self-compassion. 

2. Stres: A Reality We Can’t Ignore

It’s impossible to reflect on a year without acknowledging the stresses that have impacted us. Whether it's work pressures, personal struggles, or the constant pull of expectations, stress is something we all face at some point. It’s totally normal. 

Try to look back at moments that stress you out and how you finally get through it. This may serve as a reminder for you of the dynamic of life and how you have the ability to overcome it.

Also read: How God Can Be Playfully Romantic

3. What Worked and What Didn’t

List down the plans, habits, or system that worked perfectly well this year. Give yourself a proper celebration you deserve for those winnings no matter how big or small it is. Pat your back and thank yourself for doing it and to have done that far.

Analyze what didn’t work out this year. And as you are making evaluations about yourself, might as well you are brutally honest with yourself when auditing all the things that didn’t work as planned or the way you want it. It’s a valuable lesson and a gift life can give you.

4. Gratitude: Focusing on What Matters

This is my most favorite part. After doing points one to three, I feel like I can rest all the rollercoaster ride going back to the past reflecting all the ups and downs of my life through the entire year by doing the gratitude journal.

This grateful feeling draws me back to where it all started. I feel at ease, home, restful, connected, and grounding. I even feel whole again just in that instant with the flow of thankfulness. It’s certainly a feeling of home for me. So, take the moment to do this part. Let yourself bask in the feeling and the moment to fuel your energy back.

Also read: What If

5. Lessons Learned: Carrying Wisdom into the Future

This is not only about what lessons you’ve learned this year. This also includes what you need to unlearn and relearn. Maybe there is something you learned in the past that’s no longer relevant these days or it’s actually not the correct way to do it. So, drop it and unlearn that. Or maybe you notice a pattern is repeated in yourself. Observe that pattern and see if that’s actually a sign to show you that you need to relearn that lesson.

Looking Forward: A New Beginning

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, there’s a sense of possibility and opportunity. Reflecting on the past year isn’t just about analyzing the mistakes or triumphs; it’s about acknowledging how far we’ve come, learning from the experiences, and carrying that wisdom into the future. So, as we say goodbye to this year and look ahead to the next, let’s approach it with intention, gratitude, and a willingness to grow.

Cheers to the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the beautiful journey ahead!

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