Reflecting on 2021; Looking Forward to 2022
Written by Rachel Shin
And just like that… It’s almost 2022!
Is it just me or did this year totally fly by? Sure, some moments dragged (aka February) but altogether, 2021 was action-packed from start to finish! Making space to pause and reflect on my year is one of the ways I practice self-care during the craze of the holiday season. This year, I invite you to join me as we approach the new year and reflect on another journey around the sun together.
As we reflect on this year, let us see ourselves and others through a lens of grace.
Whether you’re reading this on the subway, in bed or while getting coffee, allow yourself to pause and respond from the heart. Also, before we start let’s acknowledge that an accurate review of 2021 requires cc’ing 2020. Last year ended on a rough note with the resurgence of lockdowns amidst national tension and emotional exhaustion. No wonder we were decorating our Christmas trees mid-November!
As we reflect on this year, let us see ourselves and others through a lens of grace. Feel free to journal your responses the prompts below or share them with our #IridescentWomen community!
How did you cultivate joy in 2021?
What new rhythms and practices did you create this year?
Who were some of your biggest inspirations this year ranging from authors and musicians to friends or even strangers?
If 2020 was the year of improvising as we go, 2021 was the year of finding our new normal. How have you navigated finding your “new normal” while holding plans loosely?
Which relationships energized you? Which drained you?
What’s one hobby or skill you’re glad you tried this year?
Are there any personal accomplishments you’d like to celebrate before the year ends?
Looking forward, what are some of those new rhythms and practices from this year that you’d like to bring into 2022?
What’s something you’re hopeful for this next year? Could be a live concert, a trip, a budding friendship or even less Zoom.
I invite you to close your eyes and imagine you’re standing at the end of 2022. Allow your imagination to paint a picture as if you’re reflecting on what 2022 has been for you. For example, I imagine myself in December 2022 having a glass of wine to celebrate the wins of the year: my first tv show booking, having paid off my student loans and enjoying my new car on road trips. There are no limits, so let your imagination go wild!
After you imagine this time of reflection, write down what you saw in the vision with as much detail as possible. If you saw yourself reflecting on your amazing trip to Hawaii with your two besties or opening that business, write it down! Putting our goals, dreams and hopes on paper takes us one step closer to their fruition. I’ve done this two years in a row with my husband and we have been amazed how much of what we imagined became our reality because we partnered our dreams with faith.
I hope these prompts and questions helped you to reflect, look forward, and express gratitude for all the blessings of life.
May your holiday season be blessed wishing you a very happy new year from sunny LA!
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