Congratulations to all of us, for we’ve nearly made it to a new year!* With the new year, the past feels more firmly in the past than usual and people are encouraged to become conscious of their unknown futures and upcoming new opportunities once again. We make resolutions and complete or end undertakings from last year, and the phrase “New Year, New Me” seems more possible than ever.
2016 has been a difficult year—some argue it’s been more difficult than usual, at least in the U.S. So it’s understandable that most people would like to move forward without looking back too much. However, along with all the challenges of the last year have come innumerable lessons and opportunities for growth. This includes both the personal growth we’ve each gone through individually and the collective lessons we’ve learned in our families, communities, and societies. It would be unfortunate to leave the last year’s worth of knowledge uncollected.
Therefore, I encourage us all not to forget to look back on our past year. It cost all of us something to participate, so we should milk it for all it’s worth! Some of this reflection may be uncomfortable, but this discomfort is especially worth confronting. Some of it will require us to let go of favorable self-perceptions or to admit mistakes we’ve been refusing to acknowledge. Some of it may be painful and take a little longer to come to terms with, so we should remember that there is usually no need for us to rush the process, and it’s okay if it last into the next year. Some of it may actually be lessons or knowledge from past experiences we truly enjoyed! Reflecting on these particularly can help us heal from or appreciate the last year as well as encourage us in our decisions for the new year.
People reflect best differently, so there are lots of ways to choose from. You can find a trusted friend or family member to talk about the past year with, or you can talk with several friends and family who have each experienced different parts of the year with you. You can build something that would have helped you if you’d had it in the last year—anything at all, from room decorations to a medical plan to a new or damaged relationship. You can create a picture or song or other piece of art to represent the last year. There are several ways you can use writing for reflection as well: You can make a list of the things you know now that you didn’t know before. You can write a letter of advice to the person you were last year. You can make a map of what your decisions and/or experiences this year have led to or made possible. You can do more than one of these or something new.
Of course, it is important to avoid becoming caught up in this reflection too much. Becoming too preoccupied with wrongs you’ve done or wrongs done to you, as well as with your accomplishments and even your blessings, can be harmful. But honest reflection on these things can help you take what you can from these experiences, which may help you to accept them more easily or to see them more objectively. And of course, don’t forget to refocus on the hope of the new year!*According to the Gregorian calendar
