This time of year is exciting, it’s like starting a new chapter – you get to look ahead and plan a fresh new year for yourself. But before you do that, it’s worth reflecting on the year that was to ‘close it out’.
Finding peace with ‘the year that was’ is important because it gives you a chance to acknowledge all your successes, and to let go of any baggage – you don’t want to carry anything over into the new year that is going to weigh you down.
Closing out ‘the year that was’ gives you space, and allows for something new. It is also a chance to reflect and be grateful for all that you have, and for those who have contributed to your year (you may even decide to thank them personally).
Steps to close out your year:
Who I was for the year: take some time to look back over your year, how do you see yourself, what was going on for you, what words sum up your year?
eg. Who I was for the year: Adjusting, recalibrating, finding a new normal, open, fun, loving
- What did you accomplish in 2014?
- What didn’t you accomplish in 2014?
- What is incomplete with 2014?
- Is there anything you are disappointed with? Do you have any regrets or resentment?
- Do you have any failures that have not been acknowledged?
- Do you have any accomplishments that were not acknowledged or shared?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive?
- What are you holding on to that needs to be let go?
These questions are powerful. If you work through them with the intention of closing out your year it will allow you to clear the decks and start with a fresh slate. Don’t just answer these questions in your head, write them down – sometimes seeing things in black and white can give you new clarity.
It’s important to take responsibility for your year – maybe you need to take responsibility for something you haven’t been willing to take responsibility for. Dig around and make sure you pull out all the weeds from your 2014 garden. If they seem too prickly to deal with you need to realise they will only grow bigger next year.
There may be other rituals you would like to bring to this process. You could light a candle and make a list of all the things you are grateful for, you could look back over your photos for the year and relive all the happy moments they captured. You could write yourself a letter. Whatever you feel moved to do to close out your year, do that.
Once you have been through the process above, simply say “I declare 2014 complete’.
Now that you have closed out 2014 it’s time to get excited! A whole new year awaits….and the possibilities are endless!!
