Personal Reflection: A How-to Guide to End the Year

Scripture repeatedly includes stories and commands to remember. Consider the tradition of building altars to mark significant moments throughout the Old Testament, a litany of Psalms, and the practice of communion in remembrance of Jesus. God clearly wants us to remember His promises, the times He has come through for us, and all He has done.

As we near the conclusion of the calendar—a literal and metaphorical turning of the page—a good-as-it-gets opportunity presents itself to reflect on the year that was and name the things we must remember as we move forward.

Over time, I have developed and refined my own series of exercises to reflect on and remember the previous year, then create space to contemplate what is to come. My annual trek to the upstairs corner of The Bourgeois Pig in Chicago, sometime between Christmas and New Year’s, is long anticipated and much appreciated. I have done my best to detail a variety of approaches I have used, but they are hardly prescriptive. Adapt them for your own reflection and feel free to use a different approach each year.

Set a time and place

First things first, put your time of reflection on the calendar. I usually select a day between Christmas and New Year’s Day, allowing the deadline to hold me accountable. Try to choose a comfortable location free from distractions, if at all possible. I prefer plenty of table space and a tasty mocha. But the most important thing is to create a space in which you can reflect and remember. Once you have a time and place locked in, explore the practices below.

Create a timeline

I often return to a simple exercise of plotting out significant events of the past 12 months. To do this, draw a horizontal line across the middle of a landscape page, allowing plenty of space above and below. Prayerfully identify at least 15 specific events, seasons or broader themes you experienced personally, professionally, spiritually, or with your family. Plot positive memories above the line and the not-so-great things below the line. You might be surprised by what you already forgot. I find it helpful (and perhaps overkill) to bring any journals I kept over the year to scan and reflect on, as if altars themselves.

Curate a list

If the timeline approach does not work for you, try creating an open-ended list of events, words, hobbies, travel, people, books, music, and other intricate details from my year. Ask yourself, “How will I remember this time? What will this year be known for?” Then pause to consider the months ahead. When you revisit this list 12 months from now, what do you want it to say? Where is God leading you?

Next year, when you return to this practice, be sure to revisit your list. How did it match up to your expectations? What did you lose sight of? Is that good or bad? I find it fascinating and enlightening to pay close attention to the differences in these lists year after year.

Stream of consciousness

Not a fan of structure? Simply write out your thoughts as they come to mind. Perhaps you will be led to review the entire year, or maybe just a specific portion. What really matters is creating the time and space to allow you to remember, not the methodology to get there.

Looking ahead

Regardless of your reflection approach, pay attention to any specific words or themes that stand out. Which were most significant? Does anything surprise you?

What can you learn from the themes of the closing year? What do you want the next one to look like? Is there a word or a phrase you want to focus on?

My focus for this year? The word simple, intended to trade the quantity of hobbies, commitments, and practices for increased quality. In 2019? Discipline, which furthered my morning routine and practice of various spiritual disciplines.

Each annual reflection session produces different fruit. It is unfair to yourself to expect a specific or certain outcome, in part because our memories are not as strong as we think. It is not until we create intentional space to review what has shaped us that we understand where we are now. Do not let yourself forget the ways God has shown up.

The year 2020 has been challenging for most. I need not remind you of our collective struggles. However, I encourage you to proceed with Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in mind. If nothing else, spend time intentionally reflecting on this passage and remember God’s providence in your life.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace