Reflection: it's not too late

Closing Out 2024 with Intention

If you are new here from my book post, welcome!!! Thank you for being here. I hope you feel a warm welcome from me. I really am obsessed with this time of year, and so you’ll be hearing more from me!

“For 2024 we want to make more memories, do spur-of-the-moment adventures, look with the eyes of wonder, and know there is possibility around every turn.” - me at the end of 2023

I used to succumb to the way of the world and try to get all my reflecting done before the new year started. Then, a few years ago, I followed along with some friends who did a “slow start January,” and now I’m hooked.

Who says we must wrap up the year with a pretty bow by a certain date? Not me!

There is beauty in the reflection process. It’s a time to look back at what God has done and remember. My friend Jamie says, “I think it is part of ‘acknowledging Him in all our ways’ (Proverbs 3:6). It is good for our souls to silence the noise, come away with Him, and remember with God. “

✿Here are some ways I do this:

• I look back in Photos on my phone month by month.

• I go through all my monthly Chatbooks (I’ve been doing this for 4 years and I’m obsessed.) *I have a whole chatbooks highlight on my instagram sharing how I use this amazingly easy photo app.

• I listen to the voice memos I have left myself while walking (It’s like therapy but free.).

• I re-read phone notes I left in my “2024” folder.

• I make a list of trips + adventures we went on.

• I make a list of “highlights” for each month.

Last year, I got out all my journals from the year and went through them on a cold winter day by the fire. I made a list of “themes” that I could sense month by month. It was such a dreamy setup, but honestly, I don’t think it was a great use of time for reflecting. Simply taking an hour here and there to sit in the quiet with the Lord, asking Him to reveal to you the ways He worked this year is all you need.

✿Personally, I love the idea of “themes”, and it makes the most sense for my brain to write in a quick, bullet-point style. So, as I was reflecting and looking back at my notes, I handwrote out some major points:

• One-on-one friend check-ins gave me a lot of life this year.

• Choosing to have the mindset of “this is so fun” during a very full kid activity fall season.

• Learning how to lay down the need to produce, accomplish, and achieve.

• I am still in a “winter season.”

• This has been the year of reading and writing.

✿I also love the simple act of making specific lists that include themes from the following:

• what worked this year,

• what didn’t work this year, and

• what I want to do more of next year.

✿These are often super practical things that I don’t want to forget. A couple of examples from my “what worked” list are

• Dinnertime convo: one manner a week, one character card a week, lighting candles, and doing high/low/buffalo as a family.

• Asher helped date night babysit.

• The Calm Parenting Podcast.

• Tag-teaming school pickups with Stephen.

• Long solo Sunday walks.

✿Here are a few from my “didn’t work” list:

• Kids falling asleep not in their rooms too often.

• Consistent one-on-one birthday dates.

• Tech boundaries on weekends.

• Bad attitudes.

Honestly, you think you’ll remember BUT YOU WON’T!

One of my values is “memory keeping,” and I know it’s not as high on many other people’s lists. But if it is high on yours, I thought I’d give you a peek into how I “wrap up” the year. Because somehow, I can’t fully jump into a new season until I have wrapped up the previous one. Are you like this too?

I printed off this list and hand wrote some of our highlights month by month.

As I wrote monthly highlights, I made a list of individual highlights for each member of our immediate family in my journal.

As I’ve said before, I love memory-keeping (and traditions!), and I heard something on a podcast back in 2019 that stuck with me: while we can’t do every whim of an idea we hear, sometimes one comes along that feels right for you and your family. This “Christmas Journal” was one of those for me.

✿This is how I do it. Every year before we pack up the Christmas ornaments, I handwrite a quick update from the year. Some years are more longwinded and others you can tell I was in a hurry. Then, I do a paragraph-ish on each child & mom and dad. It really is fun to get a high-level update year by year. Then at the end, I write a hope for the new year (like I started with in this article).

From there, I pack up the book up in my ornament box! The idea is that next year, as we decorate the tree, we pull the book out and read our previous year's entry together around the tree.

I do this for the longevity of the tradition. I can’t wait for my grandkids to read this one day, and for all the memories to come flooding back for me and my adult kids.

✿So, having reflected on what worked in 2024, what didn’t, and all the in-between, now I’m focused on what I want more of in 2025. I hope this inspires you in your own reflecting, traditions, and memory-making.

✿In 2025, I want more

• Tracked prayer requests.

• Hydration.

• Morning walks.

• Sunshine.

• Slow mornings.

• Sauna time.

• Savoring.

• Delight over demand.

• Books.

• Self-reflection.

• Fun.

• Early bedtimes.

• Jesus.

If you have felt “behind” on your own reflection/wrap-up journey, I hope this meets you right where you are. You are not behind; you are right where you are supposed to be. There is no time like the present.

I’d love to hear what you want more of in 2025!