Whatever this year brought for you, you probably aren’t the same person you were as when it began. You’ve grown. You’ve changed. You’ve learned. Before moving on to the new year, it’s important to remember how far you’ve come. So, we’ll do that together by writing our January 2022 self a letter.

Step One: Create a Timeline

First, gather your supplies:

• Paper

• Pen

• Colors (if you feel so inclined)

Think back to the beginning of the year. Where were you? What was going on in your life? Did you feel hopeful for the year, or were you feeling discouraged? Put yourself back in that moment, and start your timeline there. Write down any significant moments and things you accomplished (big or small). If you feel inclined to use colors, use whichever color feels right for each moment. Or, you can draw pictures to represent each memory.

Try to similarly put yourself back in each month, remembering what was going on. Maybe during certain months it feels like you didn’t accomplish anything. Challenge that assumption. Were you going through something difficult, and simply surviving was enough? Were you going through a season of emotional growth? Maybe you just focused on spending time with you family or resting. Whatever was going on, don’t beat yourself up for what you didn’t do. Instead, focus on all the things you did get to do.

Write Yourself a Letter

After reflecting on all the events on your timeline, write a letter to yourself at the beginning of 2022. Don’t just focus on the tangible results or events that happened, but on your personal growth, resilience, endurance, and effort as well. Dive into what challenges you faced and how they made you feel. Tell the full story of what 2022 was like for you: the events, the thoughts, the feelings, and the growth.

Have you gained any new insights to take with you into the new year?

What shows up for you that you didn’t consider before? 

If we don’t take time to reflect, it can be easy to forget how far we’ve come. We beat ourselves up for not meeting goals, forgetting all the progress we’ve made. You might not be where you thought you’d be, and that’s okay. Progress looks different for everyone. You’ve got this.