As the year comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for ourselves and others. Year-end reflection and gratitude can have significant benefits for our mental health and well-being.
While it can be tempting to think about where things went wrong and what could have gone better, thinking about what you’re thankful for and what went well is a way of recognising the growth and progress you’ve experienced, cherising the happy moments, and savouring other meaningful encounters.
Reflecting on the year allows us to appreciate the good times, learn from our mistakes, and gain insights for personal growth. It helps us acknowledge our successes and think about what we might want to do for the year to come.
Year-end reflections can also lead to increased gratitude. Consciously practising gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, improve physical and mental health, and increase happiness. Studies indicate that gratitude can lead to a 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms. Gratitude can also help us enrich our relationships, deal with adversity, and feel more engaged with and connected to life.
Here’s how to put it into practice…
- Consider reflecting on various aspects of your life, including personal, professional, and emotional growth.
- Acknowledge and celebrate the small meaningful moments, in addition to major accomplishments.
- Reflect on who and what helped you grow throughout the year and express gratitude for those experiences.
- Engage in a regular gratitude practice, such as writing a gratitude letter, to consciously count your blessings and express appreciation.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~ Epictetus
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
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