This episode discusses the importance of taking time, slowing down, and reflecting on this year. Reflecting can be tough because it requires that we see ourselves truthfully, which is tempting to avoid, particularly those parts that aren’t so positive or perfect. Together, we learn how to begin the ritual of reflection so that we can make the coming year even better by improving on our wins and growing from our losses. 

What you can learn about the importance of reflecting on yourself and your life from Snow White, the Evil Queen & the Magic Mirror. 

Question Why

Why is it so difficult to take stock of our lives?

What would happen if we spent a bit more time thinking and a little less time doing?

I share my process of reflecting at the end of the year and why it’s such an important ritual to prepare me for the year coming, with a sense of soberness and optimism, and to think about how life changes from year to year. 

Three Points on Why This Matters

1. Reflection and rest are both self-care and acts of resistance, especially in our go-go-go, do-do-do society.  Standing still, looking back, and learning should be on your list of “goals” “priorities” and “to-dos” if you want to achieve balance, harmony, and success.
2. Spanish philosopher George Santayana said, if you don’t know your history, you will surely repeat it. So take the time to truly understand the lessons that this year has taught you to avoid repeating the mistakes in the future.
3. You can’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you have been. The key to charting your future is by looking at your past. 

Every year, something happens that shapes our world in a way that demands reflection and adjustment. It could be something good, like a marriage or having a child or it could be a loss. If you don’t take the time to revisit and consider the ways your world has changed, you may be chasing dreams from 5 or 10 years ago, or responding to the person you were then rather than who you are now.

Pour the Glass

There are times when we refuse to look back because we are afraid of what it will reveal. We just don’t want to face the truth, especially our losses, mistakes, and failures. But it is the looking back that is the lesson — you simply can’t confront what you don’t face. So face it. 

Three Tips on How to Do the Thing

1. Take some time over the holiday season to look back on your accomplishments and mistakes. Don’t judge them, but try to understand them. 
2. Give yourself grace for the things you didn’t do well this year; and pledge not to make the same mistakes again. 
3. Spend more time celebrating your wins and growth areas than you spend replaying your losses and setbacks. It is far more rewarding and impactful to amplify and multiply your successes than dwelling and doubling down on your losses.

Homework 

Take some time before the ball drops to get quiet and reflect on this year. Meditate, journal, nurture yourself, rest, and recharge as you prepare for the year to come. 

Encouraging Word

Don’t be afraid of your reflection. It reveals the truth — the good, the bad, and the ugly. But it is that revelation that can help you learn and grow, and in some cases accept the things about yourself that you wish weren’t true. 

Additional resources: 

Link to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to the book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠authoryvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to my IG page @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theyvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  DM us your comments and show ideas @powerofypodcast

Additional resources: 

Link to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to the book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠authoryvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to my IG page @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theyvettesimpson.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  DM us your comments and show ideas @powerofypodcast

Show credits:

Producer: Nathan Ivey IG/FB @nathaniveycreative