21 questions for the new year

join me for my annual end of year exercise

Nov 27, 2024

this is the time of year when I try to pause and reflect about the year past, and the year to come. I invite you to join me in reflecting. below is the template I use (helped along with some modification ideas from my friend Ania González Pohlenz, who helped with the editing of Snowmelt to Roots)

Leif took this out the window, first day of our family tour

21 Questions for the New Year

Looking back / looking forward

Think small. Think graceful. Think hopeful.
Encourage yourself like you would a dear friend.
Some are repetitive, but repetition isn’t bad.
Add questions/reflections if you want.
Copy & paste as desired.

1. Celebrate 10 things (big or small) personal accomplishments/areas of growth/things that have happened in the past year:

2. What worked? What served you well this year? (that you might want to pursue again, or more of, next year)

3. What are you grieving? Reflect on 3-5 experiences or situations that were a source of pain and hardship this year.

4. What didn’t (quite) work? What didn't serve you well this year? What do you feel the need to change or let go of?

5. What worked in a way you didn’t expect? (And is there a way to make that grow intentionally this next year?)

6. What are some things you can do regularly to cultivate your well-being this new year? stay spiritually alive?

7. What’s something you’ve been meaning to do this year, but haven’t? Is it worth pursuing this coming year? Is there a mini-version of it you could do in the meantime?

8. What’s a big-picture goal or dream you made progress on this past year? If you didn't, reflect on what is hindering you. What is the next step you can take towards it?

9. What are some physical/body things/accomplishments you’re thankful for this past year?

10. What’s (at least) one physical/body thing you want to work on this coming year?

11. What’s a dream you have that seems humanly impossible?

12. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this new year?

13. When and how did you feel most loved and supported by others this year?

14. Name the friendships or relationships you want to prioritize in this new year… people you want to be intentional with this coming year.

15. Who are some people you want to be mentored by next year (even if you don’t know them, or they are dead—eg, author, thinker, teacher, etc)? What do you want help with/to learn from them?

16. What are 1-3 things you could act on that would help build/maintain community/friendships this year?

17. What’s one thing you plan to do next year that will matter most in ten years? (or, Which global/local issue do you feel most gripped by? What is one reasonable action you can take this year to invest in this cause?)

18. What dream do you hope to see realized next year?

19. Can you remember 1-2 challenges that you overcame? If you had a redo, would you do things differently?

20. What is something you found new meaning/interest in that you want to continue pursuing? A skill/practice, field of study, spiritual practice, ritual, philosophy, skill, hobby, curiosity…

21. What’s something you did this year that made you feel alive/real joy? How can you pursue that next year?

If you wanna write more about any of these topics (or anything else) that you feel like you didn’t get into above (hopes, etc.), do it here (sometimes I give myself a merciful score 1-10 to potentially help myself see where I might wanna focus next year). Or just ignore this part:

Work:

Money:

Living Environment:

Personal Growth:

Health and Recreation:

Community:

Family:

God/Spiritual Life:

thanks for being here. I write weekly sharing poetry, songs, musings, thoughts on creative life, and hopefully some encouragement… my first collection of poetry, Snowmelt to Roots, is available in my shop, — currently offering 20% off on my website with the code “YERAPOETHARRY” (or on Amazon). and my music is available here.

peace,