NEW YEAR'S ChecklisT

By Amber L'Estrange, Photo by Alison Zavos
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As quick as lightning this year is almost complete and I find myself reflecting on all that I have experienced, learned and created these past twelve months.

Daily Self-Reflection
I generally make room for a daily moment of reflection for at least 10 minutes, just before I go to bed as I find it to be the most meditative time. I approach my self-reflection with an attitude of accepting what has been and what is, yet taking responsibility and pleasure in growing towards greater balance and intention, two power tools needed in manifesting one’s dream. I complete a mini inventory of my day and note what worked, what didn’t, and where I can adjust to be happier, more productive and powerful tomorrow. Instead of dropping into automatic pilot, I love falling asleep to the beauty and excitement of intentionally creating a life I love. This is why I make it a habit to keep myself on track by delving into a practice of self-reflection everyday. Observing, learning, applying, refining, growing.always. Or trying, at least!

Past Year self-reflection
When reflecting on my year, I apply a more rounded, holistic approach during my inventory. I scan across my wheel of life and ask some simple questions:

Health:

• How have I been feeling in my body?
• Am I happy with my diet and exercise?
• Have I felt confident and strong?
• What healthy habits can I commit to to feel my optimum self?
• What habits am I willing to let go of to support my health?
• Am I giving myself-care enough attention?
• How has my sleep been?

Career:

• Is what I am doing in alignment with my truth?
• Does it light me up?
• How can I grow in my career?
• Am I putting in enough focus and effort to match my desired outcome?
• Do I have an inspiring mentor?
• Do I have a solid, workable game plan?

Income:

• Am I happy with my income?
• If I want things to look different, what can I take responsibility for?
• What is my attitude around abundance?
• Is there a new perspective I can commit to that will support my abundance?
• What is a new action I can take?
• Are there ways I can save more or make more money?

Relationships:

• Are my primary relationships serving me?
•  Am I proud and happy with how I am showing up in relationships?
• Where can I love more?
• Where can I grow more?
• What can I take responsibility for?
• How can I be a better communicator?
• Am I asking other for what I need?
• Where can I be more open?

Spirituality:

• How connected to spirit do I feel?
• Do I need to make more room for a spiritual practice?
• Am I trusting the flow of things and utilizing my relationship with spirit enough?
• Am feeling fulfilled?
• Am I looking inward enough and doing the self-work?

Adventures:

• Have I spent enough time in nature?
• Does my spirit feel nourished and alive?
• Have I seen new places? Experienced new cultures?
• Have I been imaginative enough in creating fun and exciting adventures?

Motherhood:

• Am I happy with how I am parenting?
• Am I clear on my approach to parenting?
• Am I enjoying parenting?
• Where can I be more present?
• Where is there room to grow?
• Am I using parenting to practice being a better person?
• What complaint am I ready to give up?
• Am I having enough fun?
• Do I have consistent rituals that support my child’s development and sense of love and security?

How is each slice of the pie looking after this year? Where do I need to apply more love and attention? This cross-section examination is helping me clearly carve out my goals for the coming year.

I also like to reflect on the intentions I set at the beginning of the year, noting if they are still true to me, where they eventuated or where I fell short. Some questions I ask myself about the year are:

• What goals eventuated?
• What was the magic sauce that fueled the appearance of my goals?
• What got in the way of the manifestation of my goals?  
• What were some beautiful surprises?
• What valuable lessons did I learn?
• What were my highlights and lowlights?
• Where could I have tried harder?
• Where could I have been more generous?
• Where do I need to forgive myself or anyone else?
• Where in my wheel of life am I out of balance or integrity?

New Year self Reflection
Not only does this exercise help cultivate gratitude for personal triumphs and all that I have experienced, but it reinforces the simple truth of the consistently transforming nature of life. Seeing life as a fluid series of phases helps me approach the hard times with a greater sense of lightness and trust, knowing that there will be a time when I reflect back on this chapter with a healed heart or neutral mind.

Reflecting on time passed also helps me integrate all the growth and major cliff notes accumulated over the year, leaving me clear on what matters most in life and what I am ready to call in for the New Year.

What are you calling in for this New Year? Tell us in the comments and let other be inspired by your dreams!