Are You Still Reflecting or Already Dreaming About What May Come?

Reflecting on 2024 and Preparing for the New Year

Dec 17, 2024

For years, I’ve spent the last days of the year reflecting on the past twelve months and making lists of New Year’s resolutions. It’s an integral part of saying goodbye to what was and preparing myself for what’s to come.

Over time, my approach and methods have evolved, but the essence remains the same.

a painting of a black bird with a yellow background — Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

I love the Christmas holidays. Everything slows down, the days blur together, and I often lose track of what day it is. It’s a time I savor—a time for myself and my thoughts. I’ll use these precious moments, as I do every year, to enjoy delicious food with my family, lounge in my childhood bedroom, take long walks, read, and reflect deeply.

2024 feels like a blur. The year began with big changes and challenges. I started the year feeling tired—both in body and mind. Thankfully, things improved as the months went on, bringing new commitments, work, and the pursuit of dreams. It wasn’t an easy year health-wise, and I found myself cherishing the good days more than ever. Yet, amidst the struggles, there was so much to be grateful for.

It’s important to acknowledge all of it—the good, the bad, and everything in between. Writing it down can help visualize the growth you’ve experienced.

Here’s how I begin my reflection exercise for 2024:

Success Stories: What went really well? Maybe even better than expected?
Challenges: What situations tested me, both personally and professionally? How did I face and overcome them?
Personal Growth: What did I learn—about myself, my surroundings, and the world? What was the most significant lesson of the year?

I look at both my personal and professional life because they’re so deeply connected. Both were full of experiences that deserve reflection to guide my focus for the year ahead.

Like many people, I tend to remember the difficult moments more vividly. The good things often fade into the background, taken for granted. This is why reflection is so crucial—it allows me to celebrate the wins, big and small, that pushed me forward, made me try harder, or brought me moments of joy and contentment.

Where there are shadows, there is light. And the light is what I want to hold onto.

Reviewing each month individually takes time and effort, but having that overview is so rewarding. And knowing that I’ll follow it up by daydreaming about the future is the icing on the cake.

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nude woman and white swan painting — Photo by Europeana on Unsplash

Vision Board: Turning Dreams into Focus

I’ve been a big fan of vision boards for years. As I think about what to include on my board for 2025, I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Much of what I’ve visualized in previous years has come to fruition (more on that here). Now, I’m curious to see where this new chapter will take me.

Here’s my process for creating a vision board:

Choose focus areas: I usually pick 3–5 areas of my life where I want to create change—like work, relationships, health, hobbies, or finances.
Reflect on past goals: I review the goals I set in those areas the previous year. What worked? What didn’t? What new priorities are emerging?
Gather inspiration: I turn to Pinterest or similar platforms to find images that resonate with me and capture the feelings I want to manifest.
Add depth with writing: Alongside the images, I write down my thoughts and dreams. This adds nuance and makes the vision more meaningful.
Keep it visible: Since I create my vision board digitally, I save it as a screensaver for my phone and laptop. Seeing it regularly keeps me inspired and motivated.

I’ve realized that rigid goal-setting doesn’t work for me. My day-to-day life is already filled with to-do lists and project plans. When it comes to crafting a life I love, I need something more fluid and inspiring. Visualizing my desired future helps me see it more clearly, and for me, it’s far more effective.

I still remember when my coach first introduced me to this idea. I was skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a try. One evening, I drew a hot bath, dimmed the lights, lit some incense, and closed my eyes. For 30 (maybe 40?) minutes, I let myself dream about the future I wanted—the surroundings, the feelings, the experiences.

What seemed like a silly task at first turned out to be transformative. Taking that time to dream freely, without constraints, helped me shape a vision for my future without the pressure of detailed planning.

So, this is the method I’m sticking with. I look forward to closing my eyes to daydream, then capturing it all on (digital) paper. It fills me with excitement for the year ahead—a fresh start with new goals and dreams to pursue. It’s such a simple exercise, yet its positive impact on my mindset is undeniable

Your Turn

How do you usually close out your year and plan for the next one? Do you lean on manifestation techniques, or do you prefer a more structured, project-management approach? I’d love to hear your experiences—I’m always eager to try new methods.

Keep reflecting, keep dreaming, keep creating,

Martina

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