“How you perceive things is the strongest influence in shaping your existence.” ~John O’Donohue
As the end of the year approaches, I’ve found myself pondering how swiftly time has passed. In this state of unease, thoughts of unachieved ambitions and missed goals consumed my mind.
Even though these thoughts were unwelcome, they infiltrated my inner conversation, reinforcing themselves by emphasizing my deficiencies.
Examining the previous year critically can foster self-criticism, robbing the present moment and tainting my outlook for the future, thus making optimism and self-esteem challenging.
I recognize I’m not alone in this counterproductive tendency. Nonetheless, a critical mindset is not fixed. Despite its rigid implications, mindset is adaptable, influenced by what you concentrate on at any moment.
Rather than condemning the past year, you can opt to perceive it through a prism of empowerment.
Transform Your Year Through Positive Reflective Journaling
A straightforward approach to alter your viewpoint towards empowerment is through organized reflection, particularly, positive reflective journaling.
Positive reflective journaling may not be new, but it is remarkably effective in cultivating a caring and balanced perspective of your past year and yourself. By concentrating on what enriched you, your year changes from a tally of unfulfilled goals into a significant story of your existence.
As I practiced positive reflective journaling, significant instances of joy and connection surfaced that were not tied to any task list.
These instances manifested when I chose to prioritize rest over productivity, talked kindly to myself, or embraced “good enough.” What initially appeared to be a mundane year turned out to be one marked by stability, self-trust, and quiet courage.
With this refreshed viewpoint, the prompts below are designed to guide your focus towards growth, nourishment, and moments you might have overlooked.
Prompts for Positive Reflective Journaling
Ways I Developed Unnoticeably
Subtle transformations throughout the year frequently go unnoticed. Did you prioritize self-care, respect your needs, or decline social events that didn’t appeal to you?
Were there instances when you released perfectionism or the need to please others, accepting that you are deserving of love and respect just as you are?
Did you nurture your body through better eating habits, more physical activity, and sufficient rest?
These moments of growth may appear insignificant on their own, but collectively they establish the foundation for enduring change. Every decision made in your favor contributes to substantial growth—growth that deserves acknowledgment and celebration.
Looking back, I was taken aback by the occasions I chose adaptability over inflexibility, curiosity over criticism, and patience over haste. Small gestures—like asking a colleague about her process instead of jumping to conclusions, adjusting travel plans after a flight was canceled, or taking the time to slow down for an older friend—became indicators of my development.
At the time, these instances didn’t seem major, but in retrospect, their significance became clear. They demonstrated to me that