For many of us, 2022 has been a year of recovery. With the world under lockdown for most of 2020 and some of 2021, it has been a challenge to remain optimistic about things, while maintaining perspective on just how far we have come. In a world of social media, where we often compare our rough draft with everyone else's finished product, not finding fault in our lives and seeing the good over the bad poses some difficulties.
Journaling is a great way to self-reflect. When we put our thoughts to words and commit them to print, we have a measure of understanding that doesn't change as our memories or moods shift. A journal is a great way to go back and look at previous years, as far as our records take us, to see how things have changed. It's also a good reminder that things will change and our opinions, fears, and passions change as well.
Year in Review for 2022 is a way to look back at the positives and negatives
When we compare ourselves to others, we are met with frustrations, insecurities, and inadequacies. We are being unfair to ourselves, since we are blind to the failures and hardships others may have experienced, but we might never see ourselves. When we compare ourselves now to who we were a year ago, we can see just how far we have come. We get to see the progress we have made against adversity, and even reflect on those moments that brought us joy.
How to do a year in review
Start with a blank page. If you are new to journaling, get a blank notebook or even start a document on your computer. Paper notebooks often work better because you can't easily go back and change what you've written. Next, you might have some questions to ask yourself. Think of it as a performance review to yourself about your strengths and your weaknesses.
You can either go month by month, picking out the highlights of your year as they unfolded, or work through the most important parts you remember in no particular order. Since this is your story, you get to tell it however you want.
Questions we can ask ourselves
As we give ourselves a yearly evaluation, we get to take into account both the good and the bad. The difficulties we have encountered, but also the lessons and new skills we have learned from those tough times. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you write out your thoughts:
- What are three things you learned in the last year?
- What new skills have you picked up in the last year?
- What are some of the happy moments you have experienced?
- What are some sad moments, or times that left you feeling upset in this time?
- Have you helped others? If so, how?
- What are some goals you set for yourself? Did you achieve them?
- What are some goals you didn't achieve? Why were you not able to achieve them?
- What was a moment that surprised you with how well things went?
- What moments brought you joy or peace in your life?
- Who are some people who helped you along the way?
- What new sights have you set for yourself in the upcoming year?
We are all works in progress
Part of writing a year in review is to document your journey in this life and to illustrate the story you are living every day. Part of that reflection might bring you peace and other pieces might encourage you to either work towards new goals or change direction to bring joy into your life.
If you would like to learn more about opportunities for self-improvement, wellness, and mental as well as physical health, contact us. There is no right answer to any of this, but hopefully these suggestions bring you closer to personal reflection and feeling comfortable in your own skin. The journey can be exhilarating, challenging, and worth every moment.
