Rest and reflection are welcome friends to me now, as I approach the end of what has been a slightly different year for me, returning to employed work on a part-time basis at the end of last year. This year has also had a bit of a stressful end, having just moved house in rather a short space of time, on top of a challenging time before that, which has left me frayed around the edges. So I am now leaning into this opportunity that is The Winter Solstice and Christmas holidays, to rest and reflect.
The Winter Solstice traditionally is a time of quiet reflection and rest, but for many of us, it holds the pressures of a Westernised Christmas festive season. Where we are asked to speed up to get everything done, when in fact it is a natural time for slowing down, the winter being a time when we naturally have less energy. However, the pressures of buying and wrapping presents, buying and cooking additional food, travelling to see family and/or friends, finishing off work projects, and a multitude of other chores, means we go against this natural cycle of life.
Reflection can be a powerful tool for growth to help us observe our patterns, celebrate progress and move us forward to what we intend to do in the future. Reflecting on the year is a common thing to do and for many of us we may make that space for that naturally, but sometimes, we need to carve out a bit of time for it.
To help you in the process of reflection, I have listed a few prompts below. It can sometimes help when we ask ourselves a few questions:
Reflection
Here are a few prompts to help you begin to reflect:
- What has deepened for you over 2024?
- Where have you felt lighter?
- What challenge stretched you the most and how do you feel it strengthened you?
- Did you have any unexpected wins?
- What are the things, situations, or people that made you feel deeply grateful? Allow yourself to feel into these memories as you think about them.
- What are you most proud of?
- What gift will you give yourself in these last few days of the year?
- How would you like to be in the new year? Imagine how you would like to feel if you were doing what you wanted to do, being how you would like to be? If you can, imagine feeling it.
- If you were to set an intention for the new year, what would it be? Try to focus on something that you value, that you can feel achieving as much as seeing it.
As you sit down to reflect and perhaps answer some of the questions above, allow yourself to rest for a few minutes before. When we are in a relaxed state we can access more of our brain, and our nervous system will know we are safe. Perhaps grab a cuppa, a pad and pen, take your time to let go of tension before you start. Maybe doing some Sophrology exercises to help release tension, feel calmer, and more able to focus.
I wish you a wonderful new year ahead. I hope your reflections help you to manifest the life you value.
Carla
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