I have two favorite resources that can help to support a more reflective New Year’s transition. They are meant to provide a thoughtful, introspective opportunity for you to take with yourself. I have done the first for the last few years and will doing so again in just a few day’s time.
Whether or not your are a ‘resolution’ person, I believe rituals that support reflection, curiosity, and compassion are a beautiful way to reconnect and deepen your relationship to yourself, the ones you love, and the world.
1. Reflective Practice for a New Year
The first is a practice I discovered through Daniela Sieff, PhD. Her Reflective Practice for a New Year is a series of questions that help to gather up the experiences of the outgoing year, and then guide your heart & mind toward the year ahead. Although you can break it up if you choose, this practice can be done in one sitting, which is how I’ve always done it. I would set aside at least an hour so you don’t feel rushed.
As I stated before, I have done this particular practice for the past few years and will continue on doing so as my own tradition. For this, you may choose to use a journal or type it up, or even speak the answers in an audio journal. She also suggests a ritual burning, if it feels right to do so.
On her website, Daniela gives credit for this practice to her mentors: the late Jungian analyst Marion Woodman, movement teacher Mary Hamilton, and voice and mask coach Ann Skinner.
2. Year Compass Booklet
The second resource was introduced to me by another practitioner, and it is the Year Compass Booklet. This is a free, downloadable booklet of 10+ pages that include journal prompts, questions, exercises and activities meant to provide a more thorough inventory of the outgoing year and look to the year ahead.
The booklet has two distinct parts. The first half will help you review, learn from, and celebrate the year you’re leaving behind. The second half, on the other hand, is all about the future. You’ll be dreaming, planning, and preparing to get the most out of the new year.
Because this booklet is 10+ pages, you can plan to do it over several day’s time. I imagine it would be a lot to squeeze in in one sitting. I prefer to print it out and handwrite in it.
However you choose to celebrate, I hope these resources help to provide some reflective, quality time as we move into the New Year. Cheers to another revolution around the Sun we go!
Leanna Immel, LMFT, blends somatic and relationally-oriented therapies into her practice. Welcoming adults, teens and couples of all identities who are ready and eager to break cycles and start their therapeutic journey. If you’re ready to dive into the choppy waters of therapy, and find some relief, reach out today.
