I learned to engage in reflection to prepare so I can be more intentional about deciding what worked, what didn’t and what I value. here I could create a better life for myself and my children. Here are five ways parents can spend time on reflecting this year.
- Reflect on your wins
One day I was talking to someone and in passing I mentioned a major win. As I continued talking she interrupted me and told me that she wasn’t going to just let me blow past that major win and not celebrate. She literally made me spend time in celebration, gratitude, and to feel the moment of that major accomplishment. It felt good.
Too often, we are so focused on what went wrong and what didn’t go right that we neglect to celebrate and find gratitude for the things that did go well. Take time to reflect on your wins, because things aren’t all bad or wrong.
- Reflect on lessons learned
There are lessons learned in our wins and things that didn’t go well. I heard a saying before that said that we will continue to circle the mountain until we learn the lesson. This is why it’s so important to learn from both wins and the things that can be considered losses or failure. You can figure out what worked and do it more often. On the other hand, you can grow and learn from the things that didn’t go as well.
- Prepare financially
The beginning of the year is a great time to prepare your spending and financial plan for the upcoming year. Create your financial goal and priorities. Also, audit your spending from the previous year to determine how well you managed your money and what you need to maintain, implement, or change in the upcoming year.
- Identify toxic thoughts you don’t want to continue in the new year
One day I was talking to my former life coach and she interrupted me mid sentence and asked me, “Would you say these things that you say about yourself to your children or to anyone else?” I said “no.” Then she asked me why would I say it to myself.
Now is a great time to evaluate how you speak to yourself, whether or not you like what you are saying, and how you would like to treat yourself going forward. Take inventory of the negative thoughts and then replace them with kind thoughts going forward.
- Identify relationships that may not need to be continued
People are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. If there is someone who is in your life who is toxic and draining, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship with them. Everyone doesn’t deserve to have access to you and that can include family. As you create your new year’s plans, consider creating new boundaries and access levels for toxic relationships.
