Reflection and Intention in the New Year

As the end of the calendar year approaches, we are sure to be overwhelmed with articles and social media posts urging us to think about New Year’s Resolutions. Some will tell us to make them, some will focus on how to keep them, and others will express doubt about their value entirely. After all, research shows that almost half of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, but only eight percent achieve them. This may be because the most common resolutions are a reflection of what society says we “should” be rather than our own values.

What would happen if we paused to reflect before deciding what changes (if any) we want to make in our lives? If we moved forward with intentionality rather than a resolution?

So much can happen in a period of 12 months in our personal and professional lives that it is easy to feel as though we are only responding to our life rather than actively playing a role in it. Stopping to reflect on how we’ve changed, what we’ve learned, and who we’ve connected with can help us broaden our perspective, change behaviors, and better understand ourselves. 

Some questions to ask include:

• What have I learned (or unlearned) in the past year?
• What challenges have I faced?
• What about me, if anything, has changed?
• Who do I spend my time with?
• How do I spend my alone time?

Reflecting on these questions can bring up a range of emotions about the responses, perhaps even self-judgment. While these emotions are valid, remember that they serve as information, not directives. Staying curious about what these emotions are telling us about our values and preferences can help us to move forward into the new year with more intention. By learning to listen to ourselves, we can begin to make changes to our behavior that are more aligned with our values rather than what society expects of us.

Kristen Roberts, Practice Consultant