Extra Yearly Reflection Prompts

Here are a selection of extra prompts for reflecting on the year that has been, gaining insight, and cultivating clarity for the year ahead.

What evoked the most surprise for you this year, and why?
What is something you regret having done or not done this year?
What mistakes are you still holding onto from this year? What is making them hard to let go of?
If a particular character trait, archetype, or persona showed itself most this year, how would you describe it?
How would you describe your relationship with the natural world this year?
What were the most supportive resources you called upon this year?
What contributed to you feeling most drained this year?
Were you moved by something in an unexpected way throughout the year? (ie. a certain sense, a particular demographic’s experience, etc)
Which non-human life did you feel most intimate with this year?
Where did you become undone, or lost this year?
If you were to embody a posture or gesture to represent the year, what would it be?
How did you develop your interpersonal skills and relational capacities this year?

“The boundary to what we can accept is the boundary to our freedom.”

— Tara Brach

How are you holding yourself as you reflect here and now? Can you notice any difference in how you hold yourself in your own growth and healing path?
How are you going integrating your needs for both authenticity and belonging? What have you learned about how you meet both these needs?
What did you learn about how you regulate difficult emotions this year?
How is ‘home’ feeling for you?
Are you currently experiencing the world more as a mirror, or window?
How has your relationship with your nervous system and its needs developed?
What did you learn about what you don’t know?
Reflecting on a moment you felt overwhelmed or challenged this year, what can you now look back and notice you needed?
Are there any conversations that need to be had still lingering? What is it you feel, and what do you need?
How might you describe your current learning edge or opportunity in your relationships with friends and family based on this year?
How would you describe your relationship with the more-than-human world now? How do you see yourself in the world?
Is there a worldview, perspective or ‘view’ you notice might need to be questioned?
If our life is in some way a movement from dependency to identity, to belonging in your human family, to belonging in the more-than-human world, to service: how might you reflect on that for yourself?

— Priya Parker

Is there any way you might like to change your home environment, or most inhabited physical spaces to match your intentions, values, or visions?
How might you take our ecological crisis and our shared global moment a little more sincerely; is there something you would like to commit to?
How are you wanting to ‘show up’ in generosity for those close to you next year?
Are there any particular practices or resources you would like to develop further next year?
Novelty is important! Is there something just outside your circle of knowing that you’d like to tease a little?
How can you expand your empathy toward unfamiliar groups in tangible ways next year?
Is there a cause you would like to get more involved in?
Where would you like to practice more strength next year?
Where would you like to practice more sensitivity?
What projects or practices are you letting go of?
What practices could you start now to help yourself down the track?
If you were to express your intention or vision for next year in a movement or gesture, what would that look and feel like?