At this stage of the year, nature itself takes a pause. Trees conserve their energy by shedding their leaves (fudge they are clever) and animals hibernate (genius). Nature's perfect design! Just as nature slows down, we too can use this period to nourish ourselves, realign and prepare for our spring season that's coming - I promise you it's on its way.
As we reach the halfway point of the year, we have this wonderful opportunity to pause and reassess. Instead of criticising and panicking about the time that has already passed, we can instead gather insights. I'm picturing Scrat from Ice Age franchise, the saber-toothed squirrel who collects acorns. We stop and see in the last six months, what worked? What didn’t? By using this valuable information, we can realign ourselves with the new knowledge we’ve gained.
All life is about doing something one way, getting feedback, and reassessing.
Let’s reassess together.
Mid-Year Reflection Prompts:
What are you most proud of? Take a moment to celebrate your achievements, big or small.
What has gone well? You might like to go through each month or browse your photo album to jog your memory and rediscover the highlights.
What have you learnt about yourself? Reflect on the personal growth and insights you’ve gained over the past six months. Big and seemingly small, we embrace all self awareness.
What have you learnt that you need in order to thrive? Identify the resources, habits, and support systems that help you flourish.
Where have you invested most of your resources this year? Consider your time, energy, money, mental capacity etc.
Embrace this mid-year reflection as a chance to tune into yourself, reassess your priorities, and make adjustments where necessary. This self-awareness can guide you in making the most of the remainder of the year. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.
Mid-Year Reset: Practical Tips
Before you start your journaling session, take a few moments to relax and breathe deeply. Approach this reflection with curiosity and openness. Write without judgment and without self-censoring. Most importantly, make it feel special! Light a candle, brew a hot cup of tea, or find a cosy spot where you feel comfortable.
Mindful Activities to Complement Your Reflection:
Box breathing: You will find this exercise and a diagram on page 7 of your journal. You are breathing in for a count of 4, holding the breath for a count of 4, exhaling for a count of 4 and then holding the breath out for a count of 4. Do 10 rounds and see how you feel.
Nature time: Although it’s cold, spending time in nature can have a profound effect on our nervous system. When we’re in a natural environment, our body begins to relax, our mind starts to quiet, and our overall sense of well-being improves. Try some of your journaling outside and see if it allows you to go deeper.
Let this mid-year reset be your opportunity to gather insights, realign your goals, and nurture yourself. You’ll emerge with a deeper understanding of yourself and a renewed sense of purpose for the months ahead. Happy reflecting!
