I am so excited to begin the yearly reset with you!
It was a few years ago that I became interested in the topic of intentional living. I remember lying in bed one night, thinking that yet another day had passed me by in a flurry. I felt as though I was going through the motions of each day, only to realize too late that the sun was already setting and I really had nothing to show for my day. It was then that my interest in slow, intentional living was sparked and I began studying the topic through books, podcasts, and online articles.
In a world where we are encouraged to go-go-go, I created a yearly reset protocol to inspire you to approach my day, my routines, my relationships with intent and purpose, and now I want to share my process with you.
I would like to start this reset by taking some time for reflection.
A few years ago, I started a practice of carving out some time at the end of the year to reflect on the past year as a whole. I jot down little notes like:
- My favorite accomplishments of the year
- New routines I developed
- My focus word of the year
- Trips taken
- My coffee order
It’s fun to look back and see little snap shots of the past years and note what has changed and what has stayed the same.
After taking some time for reflection, I like to use this as fuel going forward.
What do I want to do more of? What do I want to eliminate that isn’t bringing me happiness? I find this helps me to have a clear focus for the year ahead and allows me to have more clarity of where I want to invest my time and energy.
I like to sum up my focus for the year ahead with a one-word theme for the year.
This year, I have chosen the word “Thrive”. I find that I have the tendency to just grind and keep my head down, working and working and yet not coming up much for air or for some time to take time. The word Thrive will remind me that what I am doing has a purpose and that if I am only focused on the grind in all I do, I miss the life in all its pieces that I want to bring in doing the grind.
I created a Word of the Year printable download (found at the end of this article) where you can write down your word for 2023 and hang it up to serve as your reminder of what you want to focus on throughout the year.
Daily Focus
In the spirit of this week’s theme – Reflection – below are daily prompts to help you reset & infuse intentionality into your days by way of reflection:
MONDAY – JANUARY 2
Reflect
Take time to reflect today. Set aside 15 min to think about the past year and what you are most proud of. This can be done in a special notebook or on a simple sheet of paper.
TUESDAY – JANUARY 3
Word of the Year
Come up with your 2023 Word of the Year. What is your one-word theme for the coming year? A few examples could be Growth, Declutter, Upgrade, Delegate, Slow, Refresh. Jot it down on your FREE printable Word of the Year notecard – see below.
WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 4
Gratitude List
Jot down a list of 3 things you are grateful for. Taking a few minutes to ponder the things you have to be thankful for and recognizing the goodness in your life can lead to greater happiness
THURSDAY – JANUARY 5
Be Still
Be Still for 5 Minutes Take a few minutes to be still. Whether you want to meditate, pray, or simply just sit, 5 minutes of silence can help enhance mental focus and happiness. Give your brain some breathing room.
FRIDAY – JANUARY 6
Walk Outside
Walk Outside for 10 Minutes Get some fresh air. Walking in nature releases dopamine and endorphins, producing feelings of euphoria.
SATURDAY – JANUARY 7
Grace Day
Take this day to catch up on a day you missed, or simply rest.
SUNDAY – JANUARY 8
Read A Book
Carve out at least 15 minutes to lose yourself in a good book. Take some time for yourself to relax and unwind.
Word of the Year Printable Wallpaper
Thank you for following along this journey with me! Stay tuned for Week 2 of the reset next Sunday where our theme is Wellness!