Reflecting on the Year Behind and Setting Intentions for the Year Ahead

Journaling promptsExercisesSelf-InquiryMotivationInspirationSelf-careSelf-discoveryPractical Spirituality

Dec 20

As the year winds down, many of us find ourselves naturally reflecting on what’s passed and wondering about the road ahead. This transition can be bittersweet, marked by both accomplishments and challenges, joy and sorrow.

While we can’t control what life throws our way, we have an incredible power: the ability to choose how we respond and how we show up for ourselves in the midst of challenges.

We can decide which values to lean into, what goals to focus on, and what to stand for even when life doesn’t go as planned. This season of reflection is an opportunity to pause, take stock, and realign with what truly matters. Journaling is a powerful tool for this process, helping us gain clarity, reconnect with our inner selves, and move forward with intention.

Below, I’ve outlined a framework for reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the next. These prompts are divided into key areas of life to help you dig deeper into your values, priorities, and personal growth. As always, make it yours!

1. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

This area is about understanding who you’ve become and who you want to be.

• Reflection on the Past Year:

• What moments this year made me feel most proud of myself?

• What challenges pushed me to grow or taught me important lessons?

• Are there any beliefs or habits I want to leave behind?

• When did I feel most connected to my true self?

• Looking Ahead:

• What values do I want to embody more fully in the year ahead?

• How can I create space for self-reflection and growth in my daily life?

• What does living authentically mean to me right now?

2. Relationships and Connection

Our relationships shape our lives in profound ways. Reflecting on how we show up for others—and how they show up for us—can deepen our connections.

• Reflection on the Past Year:

• Which relationships brought me the most joy, comfort, or support this year?

• Was there a relationship or dynamic that felt draining or misaligned with my values?

• When did I feel most connected to others, and why?

• Looking Ahead:

• How do I want to show up in my relationships moving forward?

• Are there any boundaries I need to set or strengthen?

• What qualities do I value most in my relationships, and how can I nurture those qualities?

3. Work and Purpose

Whether it’s your career, a creative passion, or the way you contribute to your community, this area is about aligning your actions with a sense of purpose.

• Reflection on the Past Year:

• What work or activities felt most meaningful to me this year?

• Were there moments when I felt disconnected or uninspired? What contributed to that?

• Did I honor my values in the way I approached my work?

• Looking Ahead:

• What energizes me about the work I do—or want to do?

• How can I better align my work with my core values?

• What small steps can I take to bring more passion or purpose into my daily life?

4. Well-Being + Self-Care + Vitality

Taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally is the foundation for everything else.

• Reflection on the Past Year:

• How have I taken care of my physical and mental health this year?

• What habits or routines have supported my well-being? Which one’s did the opposite?

• When did I feel most balanced or grounded?

• Looking Ahead:

• What does taking care of myself look like for me right now?

• Are there any habits I want to build or let go of for the sake of my well-being?

• How can I show myself more compassion in the year ahead?

5. Joy + Play + Creativity

Life isn’t only about achieving goals—it’s also about savoring moments of joy and creating space for fun and spontaneity.

• Reflection on the Past Year:

• What brought me the most joy this year?

• Were there moments when I allowed myself to play or be spontaneous?

• Did I prioritize joy, or did it get pushed aside by “more important” things?

• Looking Ahead:

• What activities or experiences light me up?

• How can I create space for more playfulness and joy in my life?

• What’s one thing I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?

Moving Forward with Intention

As you move into the new year, remember that change doesn’t have to be drastic to be meaningful. Often, it’s the small, consistent choices we make that create the biggest shifts over time.

Take your time with these reflections—there’s no rush to have everything figured out. Let your journal be a space where you can explore, dream, and reconnect with yourself.

Here’s to a new year filled with clarity, intention, and the courage to live in alignment with your values.