The power of letting go: keeping the best and ditching the worst of 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, I wonder if you’re happy to see the back of yet another year of Covid calling the shots, or if you’ve actually experienced success and new beginnings this year?
I’m a big fan of noticing what’s going on: whether that means paying attention when work just isn’t feeling right any more, or stopping to reflect on where exactly those feelings of joy or despair are centred. So you won’t be surprised to know that this article offers up two different ways of reflecting on your personal thoughts and feelings about 2021.
Above all, I want you to be able to mark the turning of the year in a way that works for you, knowing that in taking time to reflect on this year you’re preparing fertile ground for the 2022 you really want. By understanding your highs and lows, the successes and tripwires from this year, you’ll be better equipped to set yourself up for a more empowered and inspiring year ahead.
1. The Thankfulness Edit
You may remember that I developed a free resource last year that offers the opportunity to review your year through the lens of gratitude. You can read the full article explaining the rationale behind it here.
Briefly, the idea is that by developing a practice of gratitude, you’ll become more attuned to what you truly value and be ready to create more joy in your life.
“the key to joy is practicing gratitude”
With this in mind, I’ve now updated the workbook and you can download the 2022 edition here.
But don’t just download it and leave it languishing on your desktop with all those other exciting resources you’re going to get to ‘when you have a minute’! No, I challenge you to make a diary entry to really prioritise time for this reflective work.
And when you’ve completed the reflections and have some plans in mind for new ways of thinking, new habits and actions, I’d love to hear from you - just reply to this message with your ideas, however small they may seem.
2. Goodbye and hello
Letting go: This one page resource helps you to let go of all the thoughts, people, habits, beliefs and perspectives from 2021 that you are ready to ditch. They are no longer helping you become the person you are at your best and it’s time to say goodbye.
At the same time, you can make space to appreciate the things you are grateful for, the lessons you’ve learnt, and what you are looking forward to in 2022.
By making time for this exercise, you’ll be preparing intentionally for a better year ahead – on your own terms.
Guide to completing the exercise:
Thankful for: note down all the experiences, people, places, realisations and successes from this year
Benefits of starting 2021 more intentionally: what does this moment of attention allow you to do and to be now and in the future?
Won’t miss: all those experiences, people, places, circumstances or beliefs that you are consciously saying goodbye to.
Lessons learned: what has 2021 taught you about yourself, your values, how you live and work, what you really want from your life? These will provide a guide for what you’d like more and less of in 2022.
When you complete these two resources, you’ll be feeling much clearer about what you’ll keep for the year ahead and what you really, really need to let go of.
One step deeper
To deepen this knowledge and the impact of the experience, try my mini online resource:
INSPIRED: Starting again with confidence.
Just follow the link to read more about this self-guided retreat and how participants have used it to reflect on their new role at work, beginning a new life as a business owner, or moving countries.
In January, I’ll be raising the price, so feel free to secure your lifetime access now for the current price of £29 – even if you don’t plan to start it until January, this is a great price!
What next?
Next time, I’ll be sharing another way of deepening your positive start to 2022 with my updated resource to choosing your Word for 2022. I have mine already – and I’m bursting with excitement and anticipation because this word is so perfect for me at this moment in my life. More next time!
But if you’d like to start right now, just reply to this message and I’ll email you the new guide straight away.
Wishing you a festive and joyous month – complete with quiet time for you to prepare for a 2022 in which you can thrive.