One of my favourite ways to end the year is using guided journalling questions to help contextualise the year that has been and think more creatively about the year to come. It's less about goals, achievements or resolutions and more about how I'd like to feel, what sort of experiences I'd like to invite and what every day actions would make life feel more textured in that way.
Best enjoyed in a cosy corner, with a hot mug of something, alone or with someone you love to share your dreams with. Dont worry if you've never journaled before, just bring pen to paper, start with the question, out load or repeated in your mind, and let the pen flow freely - it may be keywords, stream of consciousness or abstract shape and colour that has you express yourself - no one needs to see it. I hope you enjoy this practice as much as I have over the years.
Thank You 2023
Gratitude takes us out of our everyday lives and elevates how we feel. Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for, from the past year.
In 2023, what did you let go of?
What did you embrace?
What were your biggest challenges this year?
What were your biggest learnings from those challenges?
What/who supported you?
Were there places that you felt your time or energy wasn't well spent?
Where was there growth or expansion in your life?
What are you most proud of yourself for?
3 beautiful moments that stand out for me are…
What are you ready to release as you embark on the next 12 months? (think past stories, limiting beliefs, unhelpful habits, or objects you do not need to bring with you to the next phase in your life)
Summarise your year in one word. What was 2023 about?
Hello 2024!
What are you excited to call into your life in 2024? (think experiences, feelings, people, changes, etc)
What parts of you need more space in 2024?
What’s the biggest change or transformation you’ve been avoiding but ready to make this year?
What do you need to give yourself permission to be/do?
What can you do to bring more pleasure into your year ahead?
How can you make space for rest?
What excites you most, right now?
Why is this important to you?
How do you most want to feel in 2024? Brainstorm a list of emotions for each category…
In your body/health/wellbeing:
In your career/work/calling:
In your relationships/community:
In your creativity/development/self-expression:
In your spirituality/connection to yourself/soul:
Do you see a pattern appearing? Describe it below.
What needs to happen/change for you to bring in more of your desired feelings on a day-to-day basis?
What are your 3 guiding words/feelings for 2024? What are you most drawn to from what you've described above?
1.
2.
3.
Create an intention (or more than one) letting yourself be guided by how you most want to feel. You might craft them in a present tense affirmation
Example: I am TRUSTING myself in every moment.
Example: I am CALM and ASSURED.
Example: I feel EMPOWERED and know my BOUNDARIES.
MY GUIDING INTENTION FOR 2024 is…
Write a letter to yourself
12 months from today, imagine having experienced the things you’ve visualized and declared above (plus so much more), what would this “future YOU” want to share with you right now? What would you most need to know? What does she/he want you to release? How have you grown? Write freely here...