Whether you are kicking off your to-do list in the middle of November (it’s okay, you’re not the only one) or ending the year with a bang, it’s always a good idea to end the year with a note to self. We suggest doing this with a list of things you need to do before new years day.
This doesn’t mean you have to add more to your plate, as that would only make you feel a bit more stressed. It’s simply to help you understand yourself more, reflect on your achievements and plan towards future goals. With all the pressure going on social media daily, you should strive to take it easy on yourself. Remind yourself that you are amazing, and mean it, simply because you are.
While it’s so easy to get caught up in your to-do list, you need some time off to remind yourself of what’s truly important. Rather than get worked up about how many items are not crossed off your list, choose a few things off our list, focus on them, and see how productive you feel planning towards the coming year.
- Reflect on the past ten months. Make a list of activities from the past months. If you have a list of monthly targets, that could work too. Review your list from top to bottom and write down a comment. Reflecting on past achievements and ‘almost achievements,’ create a mental space to set future goals, not to talk of identifying your new strong points.
- Celebrate your accomplishments. There are no small wins, what counts is that you got it done. You smashed that goal for a minute, commemorate it! Recognizing that everything you’ve done contributes to where you are today, helps you to take it easy on yourself.
- Plan for the goals you missed. It’s okay not to get them all, that leaves some space for improvements, which is cool. Don’t beat yourself up because you haven’t got to more than half the items on your new year’s list in the eleventh month. Understand that’s fine. Recognize your limitations and come up with creative ways to surpass them in the coming year.
- Make a list of things you are grateful for. A wise woman once said, ‘if you’re not kind about yesterday, you may not appreciate tomorrow’. Write down the things you achieved this year and give yourself a pat on the back. Take yourself to lunch, or treat yourself to a good bottle of wine, you deserve it. I wouldn’t suggest a shopping spree, but if you can afford it, go right ahead. Appreciating smaller gifts lets you see potential a bit more clearly.
- Declutter your space, this is a mental exercise to help get rid of the invisible baggage you carry around on your shoulders. Detoxifying at least one part of your home or workspace gives a renewed sense of purpose. It feels like you are letting go of stuff from the past year that could be holding you back. Whether it’s your closet or abundance of old mix-tapes, you’ll be amazed at just how refreshing it can be.
- Donate to charity. Giving is another exercise that leaves you feeling refreshed, plus it’s a great way to make space in your closet for all that end-of-the-year shopping you’ve scrawled at the bottom of your list. Whether you are giving an old suit to your sibling, or taking a pile of old gadgets to a charity, you could use the mental exercise.
- Schedule some time for self-care. Now, this should have been number one. While you go on about how your goal-chasing falls below target, you seriously need to plan some time to take care of your first priority, you! Schedule some time monthly or quarterly to take a break from all the goal chasing. Play golf, take a trip, visit grandma, whatever your vices, you need some time to do you.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the things you need to do before the year runs out, rather a reminder for you to put down your phones and laptop for a minute, and turn your attention to what matters most. Also an inspiration to remind you that no matter how your year is going, a little bit of mindfulness can make for a happier and motivated end of the year.
Reflect on the past year, celebrate accomplishments, plan for the goals you missed, list the things you are grateful for, declutter your space, donate something, check your priorities, schedule some time for self-care, make something