Taking Time to Look Back and Let Go
As we step into the new year, life often rushes us forward without pause. Between the celebrations, resolutions, and return to routine, many of us don’t get the chance to truly reflect on the year that’s passed.
If that sounds familiar, this post is for you.
This simple reflection activity is designed to help you acknowledge what you’re grateful for, what’s worked, what hasn’t, what you’d love to do more of, and what you’re ready to release. You can do it alone or with your family, and there’s no “right way” to approach it.
Why Reflection Matters
Taking time to look back helps us:
- Recognise our growth and achievements (even the small ones)
- Learn from challenges without dwelling on them
- Make conscious choices about what we carry forward
- Create space for new experiences and opportunities
- Practice gratitude for what’s been
You don’t need hours of quiet time or a perfect journal. You just need a few moments of honesty with yourself.
Different Ways to Reflect
For Those Who Don’t Like Writing
Not everyone processes through writing, and that’s completely okay. Here are alternatives:
Voice or video recording: Set up your phone and talk through your thoughts. Speaking aloud can help you process differently than writing, and you might surprise yourself with what comes out.
Drawing or visual journaling: Sketch images, symbols, or colours that represent your year. Draw what you’re grateful for, what challenged you, or what you’re hoping for.
Talk it through: Share your reflections with someone you trust—a partner, friend, or family member. Sometimes saying things out loud to another person helps clarify our thoughts. If you’d like to keep a record, your trusted person could transcribe for you while you talk.
Create a collage: Cut out images from magazines or print photos that capture your year’s highlights, lessons, and hopes.
For Those Who Like to Process Alone
Free writing: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or making sense. Just let your thoughts flow onto the page.
Journaling with prompts: Use the questions below to guide your reflection. You don’t have to answer all of them—pick the ones that resonate.
Drawing in solitude: Similar to the visual approach above, but done privately as a personal meditation.
Reflection Prompts to Get You Started
Feel free to pick and choose what speaks to you:
Looking Back with Gratitude
- What are three things you’re grateful for from this year?
- What moment made you smile when you think back on it?
- Who showed up for you this year?
- What small joy or comfort did you appreciate regularly?
Acknowledging What Worked
- What went better than expected?
- What habit or practice served you well?
- When did you feel most like yourself?
- What decision are you proud of?
Recognising What Didn’t Work
- What drained your energy this year?
- What pattern or habit would you like to change?
- When did you feel out of alignment with yourself?
- What commitment didn’t serve you?
What You Want More Of
- What activity or experience lit you up?
- Who do you want to spend more time with?
- What skill or interest do you want to explore further?
- What feeling do you want to cultivate more of?
Where Are You Finding Resistance?
Sometimes the most valuable insights come from noticing where things feel hard or where we’re pushing against ourselves.
- What activity or commitment feels like a constant struggle?
- Is that thing really as important as you think it is, or is it something you “should” do?
- Could there be a different way to approach it that would cause less friction?
- Is it worth your energy, or is it time to let it go?
- Where are you forcing something that doesn’t want to flow?
Resistance isn’t always a sign you need to push harder—sometimes it’s valuable information telling you something needs to change.
Understanding Your Rhythms
Becoming aware of your own and your family’s natural rhythms can transform how you plan your year.
- When do you have the most energy during the day? During the week? During the year?
- When do you feel most depleted or need more rest?
- When does your family naturally connect well together?
- Are there better times to tackle big things like travel, projects, or major changes?
- What times of year feel hardest for you, and how can you plan for that?
- Where can you create opportunities to bond and connect that work with your rhythms, not against them?
Working with your natural energy patterns, rather than fighting them, can make everything feel easier.
What You’re Ready to Release
- What expectation can you let go of?
- What worry or fear has overstayed its welcome?
- What chapter is ready to close?
- What belief about yourself is no longer true?
What to Do When You’re Finished
Once you’ve completed your reflection, you have choices:
Keep It
Save your reflections as a time capsule. Tuck it away and revisit it in six months or a year to see how you’ve grown or what’s changed. Some people find comfort in tracking their journey over time.
Release It
If your reflection feels heavy or you’re ready for a clean slate, consider:
Safely burning it: In a fireproof container or outdoor fire pit, burn your reflections as a symbolic release. Watch the smoke carry away what you’re letting go of. (Always follow fire safety guidelines and check if fires are permitted in your area.)
Tearing or shredding it: Rip your reflections into small pieces. Some people find the physical act cathartic. You can then compost the paper or dispose of it mindfully.
Transform It
Pull out the key insights—what you want more of, what you’re grateful for—and turn them into intentions, a vision board, or simple reminders you can see throughout the year.
For Families: Doing This Together
If you’re doing this activity with children or as a family, here are some tips:
Keep it age-appropriate: Younger children might focus on drawing their favourite memories or things they’re grateful for. Older children and teens can explore deeper reflections.
Make it comfortable: Sit together in a cozy space with art supplies, notebooks, or recording devices. Let everyone choose their preferred method.
Share if you want to: Create space for family members to share what they’re comfortable with, but don’t force it. Some reflections are private.
Celebrate together: After everyone’s finished, you might want to do something special together—watch a favourite film, have hot chocolate, or go for a walk.
Decide together what to do with the reflections: As a family, you might choose to keep a shared gratitude jar, create a collective vision board, or have a small burning ceremony together.
There’s No Wrong Way
The most important thing to remember is that there’s no perfect way to do this. Your reflection might take 10 minutes or spread over several days. It might feel emotional, or it might feel matter-of-fact. You might stick to one method or try several.
What matters is that you’re taking the time to pause, acknowledge where you’ve been, and make conscious choices about where you’re going.
You’ll know what’s the right step for you—for closure, for growth, and for looking forward.
One Final Thought
Reflection isn’t about judging yourself for what you didn’t accomplish or dwelling on difficulties. It’s about witnessing your own experience with kindness and using what you’ve learned to move forward with intention.
Be gentle with yourself. You made it through another year, and that in itself is worth acknowledging.
Here’s to looking back with gratitude and looking forward with curiosity.
If you found this helpful, I’d love to hear how you approach year-end reflection. Feel free to share your thoughts or let me know if you try this activity—I’m always curious about how others connect with these practices.