By Karissa Lopez
The new year is usually a time of hope, excitement, and productivity to signify a new start in life. However, I find myself entering 2021 with leftover feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, which makes a new start or “reset” seem daunting. As I’ve spent some time in this space, exploring the ways that I can kickstart myself into a productive and fulfilling new year, I’ve discovered that these feelings of hope and excitement that signify new beginnings aren’t always scheduled, and that’s okay. Because of this, I’ve found myself reflecting a lot on the past year and finding new hope in the ways I’ve grown, despite the unfavorable circumstances. This reflection and gratitude process has brought me more excitement and joy for the future than any new year has, and the best part about it is that it can be done anytime and anywhere! It’s both a grounding and empowering experience that I would like to share, in hope that it can give you a sense of a new beginning whenever you feel it’s needed throughout the year ahead. First, it’s important to acknowledge how far you’ve come with the big and little successes in life. You made it through nearly a year in a global pandemic—that’s a huge success! Productivity isn’t always a gauge for success, so I’d challenge you to reflect solely on accomplishments and successes, celebrating and congratulating yourself for each one. No matter what these accomplishments are, they’re all important and worth recognizing! For example, last year I wrote an article about a close family friend, promoting her small business. Although the article was written for a class and it never actually got published, I was really proud of what I had written, and the article had prompted some students from my class to purchase from her business. I consider that to be one of my biggest accomplishments of the year (second only to surviving six months of living with my parents again) because I was able to offer support to someone I care about through things I’m passionate about: writing and reporting. Neither of those accomplishments are quantitative, but I can still measure as accomplishments and successes that I’ve had over the last year. Second, reflect on the lessons you learned within the last year. Personally, 2020 was an entire year of non-stop learning. For starters, I learned a lot about myself. Living alone during a pandemic isn’t exactly ideal, but it gave me the opportunity to be more intentional about the time I spend with myself, making time for the things that make me feel the most myself, which I learned are cross stitching, cooking new recipes, and writing letters/sending random tea bags and foliage I find during walks to my friends and family. Throughout the past year I’ve gained so much knowledge about others, COVID-19, and the list goes on. Within all this learning there were lessons that I know I’ll remember throughout the new year, guiding me through similar situations and encounters. Reflecting on these lessons can be an empowering experience— the year you’ve lived through is full of moments of meaning that you can carry with you forever. Last, reflect on the relationships that you made and/or maintained throughout the last year. How have you seen them grow and flourish? How have they changed you as a person? For me, this is the reflection that brings me the most joy. Reflecting on my relationships with others helps me to feel grounded in my position in the world, and it always brings me happiness to know that I have others surrounding and supporting me through my own personal growth and survival each year. A new year doesn’t always guarantee an automatic reset, but with each new year comes an opportunity to reflect on the growth and opportunity that the last year has given you. Whatever emotions you feel going into the new year are valid, and I encourage you to welcome them by reflecting on and practicing gratitude for the last year, helping to create space for you to find closure and contentment in another trip around the sun.
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January 2024
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