#80: Your Year-In-Review

A BRIEF MEDITATION

Imagine strolling through a sun-dappled forest. Inhale a deep breath, taking in the mossy fragrance of the earth.

Patches of warm light kiss the ground, inviting you to pause and ponder. Sunny moments burst through; then quiet reflection takes over.

The path winds ahead. Every bend brings a choice: Hold onto baggage or let it go? Every glimpse of sunlight asks: What seeds of wisdom can I plant for the coming year? This spotted path, it's a whispered invitation to breathe, to listen, to become.

So gather your courage, shed what no longer serves, and embrace the hidden dawn within.

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MANTRA BREAKDOWN

A year-in-review can stir a familiar anxiety:

"How well did I do this year?" "Wow, this year didn't go the way I expected." "I can't believe I'm still struggling through this."

Regrets echo, missed paths sting, and the year we envisioned feels miles away. We end up clinging to the past, even if it feels heavy.

Genuine reflection isn't about forgetting. Nor is it about self-judgment. On the contrary, it's a moment for self-awareness and self-compassion.

As we move through the year, bits of energy get caught in the past. Reflection is the sunbeam that cuts through, illuminating the resilience we didn't realize we possessed, the laughter we might have missed in the rush, and the strength that carried us through storms.

Reflection is a ritual you can tap into to let go of the subconscious baggage we carry and unearth the wisdom buried beneath it.

Approach your year-in-review not as a trial, but as a sacred opportunity to be present. A homecoming to your soul.

Release the grip on what no longer serves you, and make space for the gifts waiting to be received.

QUOTES TO EMBRACE IN 2024

• "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." – C.S. Lewis

• "You wanna fly, you got to give up the stuff that weighs you down." – Toni Morrison

• "We must be willing to let go of the life we've planned to have the life that is waiting for us." – Joseph Campbell

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A BRILLIANT YEAR-IN-REVIEW BLUEPRINT FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Maybe you were too busy to do your usual reflection before 2024, or perhaps you find the usual year-in-review guides online too lengthy.

We’re here to say that doing a year-in-review doesn’t have to happen before the new year, nor does it have to be a long, tedious process.

With this review, there are no rules. Treat it like an opportunity to dissect the year your way, and consciously reorient your path for a gratifying year ahead.

Let's dive right in. The journal prompt questions are in italics.

Celebrate your growth, either through the achievement of particular milestones or mindset shifts.

Take a victory lap! What have you done or achieved this year? Is there a skill set you've gotten better at? What new habits did you start? What challenges did you overcome?

Find your joy. What did you enjoy doing this year? What activities made you forget the clock, drawing you deeper into flow? Use these insights to seed future joyful experiences.

Note the deeper stuff that got you further. How have you evolved emotionally or spiritually? In times of stress, how did overcome your challenges? What limiting beliefs have you let go of? (E.g., "I possess an inner peace that stays with me more of the time," "I can say no much more easily when I want to.")

Acknowledge the shortcomings or setbacks.

Missed goals, unexpected challenges, or lingering doubts can feel like detours, but they can guide us to our deepest discoveries.

Accept reality. Where did your path veer off course? Which goals did you fall short of reaching in 2023? Are they still relevant? Are there habits you were hoping to implement (or let go of) that aren't there yet?

Consider the beliefs that aren't serving you. What self-limiting patterns or beliefs are still clouding your path? What is still a work in progress? (E.g., a need for validation, perfectionism.)

Synthesize the lessons you've learned and refocus on the future.

What will you bring with you? What were the most important lessons you learned last year that you'd like to carry with you in 2024? Are there any recurring patterns or challenges you want to leave behind in the old year?

What will you create? Close your eyes and envision your ideal 2024. What emotions do you want to cultivate? What are some experiences you yearn for? Or deep connections you wish to nourish? What version of yourself do you long to embody? This vision will become the guiding star for your intentions.

HOW TO START

Simply setting aside an hour now can transform your approach for the entire year. Grab 3 sheets of paper (or open 3 notes on your Momentum Dash!)

Use the above prompts to guide your thoughts. Move freely between sections if you wish. Bring gentle self-appreciation to each step of the process.

Regardless of what you did in 2023, remember that in the grand scheme of the universe, our most notable goal was completing another orbit around the sun together.

MOMENTUM TIP OF THE WEEK

Have a tricky idea or project on your hands? It's totally normal to hit mental blocks. (Happens to us writers all the time!) Whether you're taking a deep dive into your personal growth, or brainstorming thoughts for a work project, you can use Momentum's Notes AI as a creativity catalyst.

Here's one way to break through any mental obstacle:

1. Write out your thoughts in your dashboard's Notes section.

2. Use Notes AI to generate journal prompts to nudge you in the right direction.

3. Copy & paste the prompts to expand and deepen your thinking!

P.S. There's a lot more than generating journal prompts you can do with Notes AI. Give it a try, and let us know what you were able to think through using the new features! 🤩

IT’S ALL GOOD (NEWS)

Here are a few stories that may spark curiosity and wonder. ✨

• 🪸 Sustainability: Some Coral Species Grow Resilient by "Remembering" How To Survive Previous Heat Waves

• ❤️ Kindness: For Seniors With Nothing Under the Christmas Tree, a Wish Is Granted

• 🦍 Creatures: Study Shows Apes Can Recognize Friends They Haven’t Seen in Decade

• 🔬 Science: Scientists Discover the First New Antibiotics in Over 60 Years Using AI