Can you believe the new year is already knocking on the door?

As the new year approaches, we might feel the urge to review the old year. Reflect on it, acknowledge the lessons learned and blessings received, and then release that year by creating a space for the new year.

There are so many ways to complete your year. I release the old and welcome the new year with an annual ritual, which can also serve as a six-month reflection.

If you’re interested in adding this practice to your life, this is what I do.

Preparation:

Set a relaxing mood by lighting an aromatic candle and playing music without words. Ground yourself by breathing, and visualize your roots anchoring into the soil. 

Proceed to the ritual:

• Look through this year’s calendars, your gratitude journal (if you have one), and photos. Jot down highlights, significant events, and experiences month by month. Use your memory to recall small and significant accomplishments worth celebrating. 
• Don’t forget about the challenges you experienced this year. It’s essential to acknowledge them and the lessons and blessings they brought. 
• Choose four papers and write one of these topics: “Celebrate, Release, Integrate, and Into the New Year!” at the top of the page. 

1. Celebrate 

List events and all wins, big and small, you want to celebrate. Then, write a quality that you embodied and are now celebrating about yourself for each event.

Perhaps fewer than amazing things have occurred this year. Likely, there have been struggles, hardships, and times when you’ve felt challenged and tested.

What were your biggest challenges this year, and what gems of wisdom did you learn from them? 

I hope you find the light within in your darkest times and identify a quality that helped you get through them.

2. Release

Take some time to drop into your body and ask yourself what you most want to let go of right now. Then, write what you’re letting go of and releasing for each event.

3. Integrate 

Look at the release list and tune into how each event has served you. What quality or gifts did it give you? Write the quality on the Integrate page.

Let’s acknowledge and release whatever you want to let go of. 

When you integrate your shadows (the parts of yourself you are afraid to face) with your light, you can explore how they’ve served you.

What did you learn about yourself?

4. Into the New Year!

Make a list or write what you wish to create in the heart’s shape. Be creative and use colors. Ask yourself:

• What qualities do you want to embody in the next year?

• What shifts are you looking forward to as the new year begins?
• What are the qualities you want to carry over from the previous year? 

I hope you find this ritual helpful. Celebrate yourself. Dance to release and let go. Visualize yourself in the place you aspire to be in the next year. 

Dedicate time to reviewing all the magic for your healing, growth, and evolution within your entire year. I invite you to wrap up this year feeling centered, grounded, and lighter. 

“Claim your power. See yourself from a different perspective. Stop holding onto the past. Look ahead in a new direction, take your glory, and run.” ~ Oprah 

May your dreams come true!