A reflective month
January can be a tricky month to navigate, especially when there’s so much pressure to create a new version of yourself. I’ve lost count of how many emails I’ve received about health and fitness and although this is a positive thing, I personally find the new year is one of the hardest times to implement change.
Instead of making new year’s resolutions, I like to use January as a time to take a step back and evaluate, with playful days to dream, explore, make plans, try things out, create and have some fun.
If you haven’t considered what you’d like from the year ahead, now is a lovely time to explore your thoughts and create some intentions. By doing this you may find you’re able to set some positive goals full of purpose, fulfilment and joy.
Reflect, dream, create and grow
Today I’m sharing a few questions to get you thinking about the year ahead. To do this, simply grab a pen, some paper and take a little time to consider your life. Think of the new year as a blank canvas, free of boundaries and restrictions, and try not to overthink the questions but simply observe what flows from your heart and intuition. Sometimes we can surprise ourselves with what emerges when we stop, look inward and take a moment to playfully dream.
Reflect
What feels good in your life right now?
What brings you happiness, contentment and joy?
What (if anything) is helping you to learn, develop and grow?
Is there anything missing in your life right now?
Is there anything that isn’t working or feeling good?
Is there anything draining you of your energy, motivation and time?
Dream
What would you like the year to look and feel like?
What would you like your days to look and feel like?
Do you have an overarching ambition, vision or goal for the year?
Create and grow
How will you move towards your ambition, vision or goal?
What will be your first steps?
Is there a quote, affirmation, mantra or word to guide you?
Living from the heart
With a little gentle reflection, you will hopefully begin to see what’s working and what isn’t and from this, you may wish to set some goals. Remember goals don’t need to be life-changing, a goal may simply be, ‘spending more time with friends’ or ‘going for a walk every day.’
Goals act as gentle markers to help us to stay on track and create nurturing habits. You can set a goal at any time, it doesn’t need to be a new year or even a new week, just try to go with what feels right for you and enjoy the journey.
Further reading
Practical tips to help you reach your goals
How personal reflection can guide you in life and work
Bring your dreams and goals to life with a vision board
Thank you, as always, for stopping by, I hope you have a wonderful day.
22 Comments
Yes! This is definitely how I’m approaching my January. With an overall feeling of what I’m wanting to accomplish but no hard and fast rules that can be easily given up at the first hurdle. I haven’t quite settled on a mantra or affirmation – those tend to become more apparent to me as the year progresses – but I definitely feel like 2018 will be a year of hard graft leading to success – or at least I hope so! x
Thank you, Kate. I hope you’re having a great week and I wish you an abundance of success in 2018!
Gorgeous and thoughtful questions Natasha. January can be a positive time if we approach it that way
Thanks so much, Sue. I hope your new year has got off to a great start.
ITS Amazing asking yourself these questions and the instant responses you give yourself which you didn’t expect! Lovely post! And thank you!!! Xxx
Thank you, Kirsty. I hope 2018 is treating you kindly and you have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you I was hoping you may share a few gentle coaching questions with us all. I will sit with these and ponder queitly tomorrow when everyone is out. Just me and a cup of tea?
Ashley x
Ps Wow wasn’t your hair long back then? fabulous pic! Shoreditch I think?
You’re welcome, I hope you find them helpful. 🙂 Yes, it was a bit too long! Have a lovely weekend, Ashley.
Such fab ideas Natasha, I love the idea of taking the pressure off and using January to day dream a little! Xx
Thanks so much, Tamsyn. I hope you’re having a gorgeous month! 🙂
I really like this post, Natasha and the approach you suggest as it doesn’t feel too overwhelming; just a gentle nudge in the right direction. They are really good questions to spend some time thinking about.
Thanks so much, I hope you find them helpful.
A very lovely and useful post! Especially the questions – such a great idea and suggestion! And I agree so much about taking a little break. If I didn’t have a gigantic wave of exams coming at me I would definitely use all of the month to just play around with my dreams and visions. Thank you!
With kindness
Thank you for your kind comment. Good luck with your exams!
Great thoughts to encourage us to reflect helpfully and meaningfully in January, thank you for sharing. Hx
You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by!
Lovely post, with lots of thoughtful questions – I love this. I just linked to this article in my latest blog post too, hopefully some of my readers will benefit from your suggestions 🙂 xx
Thanks so much, Cristina, that’s really kind of you! 🙂
Amazing post! Definitely how I want to approach my year too. Thanks for sharing lovely!
You’re welcome, I’m pleased you found the post helpful.
Great post! Those questions will be my guide for the whole 2018. Thanks for sharing ! XO
Good luck with your planning and thanks so much for stopping by!