As the year comes to a close, it’s normal to feel the urge to review what you have accomplished, learned, and experienced in the past 12 months. Some people also choose this time to set new goals & intentions for the year ahead. But before you rush into planning and doing, it is important to take some time to reflect and honor yourself for who you are and how you have grown this year.

A reflection ritual is a simple but powerful way to do exactly that. It is a practice of looking back at your journey with gratitude, compassion, and curiosity. It is not about judging, criticizing, or regretting your choices or actions. Instead, it’s about celebrating your successes, acknowledging your challenges, and being aware of what you’ve learnt along the way.

Here are my favourite five reasons why I believe you should create a reflection ritual this year:

1. Reflecting helps you appreciate how far you have come.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our day-to-day lives, jobs and problems that we forget to appreciate our achievements and progress. A reflection ritual gives you the opportunity to remember all the things you have done, created, and overcome in the past year. It can also help you recognize your strengths, talents, and gifts that you have nurtured for yourself and shared with others.

2. Helping you to heal from your wounds.

The past year may have brought you some pain, loss, or trauma that you are still carrying with you. A reflection ritual can help you process your emotions and release any negative energy that is holding you back. It can also help you forgive yourself and others for any hurt or harm that was caused or received. By healing from your wounds, you can free yourself from the past and move forward with more peace and clarity.

3. It helps you learn from your experiences.

This year may have also brought you some lessons, insights, and wisdom that you can apply to your future endeavors. A reflection ritual can help you identify what worked and what didn't work for you in the past year. It can also help you discover what you need to change, improve, or let go of in order to grow and evolve. By learning from your experiences, you can make better decisions and choices that align with your true self and purpose.

4. It helps you reconnect with your values and vision.

Sometimes we lose sight of what matters most to us and what we want to create in our lives. A reflection ritual can help you reconnect with your core values and vision that guide your actions and intentions. It can also help you evaluate if your current situation is aligned with your values and vision or if you need to make some adjustments or changes. By reconnecting with your values and vision, you can live more authentically and intentionally.

5. It helps you prepare for the new year.

After reflecting on the past year, you may feel more ready and excited to welcome the new year. A reflection ritual can help you set clear and realistic goals, intentions, and resolutions for the upcoming year. It can also help you create a plan of action and a support system that will help you achieve them. By preparing for the new year, you can start it with more confidence and optimism.

What does a reflection ritual look like?

A reflection ritual can be done in many ways, such as journaling, meditating, praying, or sharing with a friend or a coach. You can choose whatever method works best for you and suits your preferences and needs. The key is to make it meaningful and enjoyable for yourself.

A reflection ritual is not only a way to close the year but also a way to open yourself to new possibilities and opportunities. By reflecting on the year, you can honor yourself for who you are, how you have grown, and what you have contributed to the world.

Journal Prompts For Your End of Year Ritual

Keen to try journaling as part of your end of year ritual? Download my FREE End of Year journal prompts here, and let me know in the comments how it goes for you.