The new year is upon us! Can you believe it? Yet another year has passed by, and a new one is about to begin. Most of us love the idea of a fresh, new year - it feels like that perfect alignment when the first day of a new month turns out to be a Monday! We're excited to set new goals, make some changes, and take action! We love the feel of a new, blank slate.

The new year is a beautiful time to set some goals and think of what we would like to create, achieve, and pursue in the next 12 months.

However, before we jump into setting our new intentions, I want you to take some time and reflect on the year that you've just had. We're so preoccupied with our next goals and tasks that we don't take the time to fully reflect on the things that we've done.

I invite you to take some paper, a pen, and answer a few questions to round up your 2019!

Journaling is one of the greatest self-reflection tools, as it allows us to slow down and truly connect with ourselves.

Here are a few questions that will serve as a beautiful closing ceremony of 2019, and will help you appreciate and acknowledge all that you've learned, did, and achieved!

What are your top 5 memories from 2019?

What are the 2 most important lessons that 2019 taught you?

What are the 5 things that you're most proud of doing/achieving in 2019?

Who are the people that brought you the most joy and happiness in 2019?

3 things that you would've liked to have done differently?

3 words that sum up 2019?

A few things that you want to leave in 2019, and not take into 2020?

These questions are very effective and will allow you to go back and take note of the things that you might've forgotten! Don't underestimate the power of counting your blessings & achievements.

Now that you've reflected on 2019, you can begin to set intentions for the new year! What would you like to create, bring in, and achieve? What are some of the goals that you would like to tick off?

Remember: Stretch yourself, but still be realistic! Nothing sabotages our success like setting incredibly big goals that are unrealistic and overwhelming!

If you've never worked out before, don't set a goal of working out x6 a week for a whole year! Start by working out x2 a week for a month, then increase it to x3 a month for a few months, and build it up little by little. When we are overwhelmed by huge tasks right from the start, we are more certain to give up.

Here are a few questions that you can use to set your intentions for 2020!

 

A few things that I would like to leave in 2019 and not bring into 2020 include...

New things/pursuits/activities that I would like to try in 2020 are...

Goals that I would like to achieve in 2020 include...

Things that I would like to focus on in 2020 are...

Ways in which I could bring more joy, love, and adventure in 2020 include...

The most aligned thing we can do for ourselves before the start of the new year is to take the time to acknowledge all that we learned, shared, and enjoyed in 2019. Many of us forget to pat ourselves on the back and make a 'success' list, rather than a 'what I didn't do' list!

If you'd like to get a little more in-depth with journaling, and deepen your relationship with yourself, you can check out this excellent journaling guide that has 100 journaling prompts. It is incredibly valuable when it comes to discovering our deepest thoughts and desires!

O hope you have a lovely holiday and I'll see you in the next year! Stay healthy and happy!

Gabie