12 reflections for Christmas

Like most HSPs, I’m reflective by nature … AND … I’m also usually galloping onto the next thing.

Which means that, although I process quickly and deeply, sometimes I could do it at a more leisurely pace.  And from a different perspective.

So this year-end, I’m consciously taking my time to look back over 2024 before I step into 2025.

You might come up with your own reflection prompts.  Here are 12 I picked out to, in effect, have a conversation with myself:

Gratitude.  What are you most grateful for this year?  And why?  Did you register appreciation and understanding at the time or only now?

Magic.  Any moments which brought you joy or fed your soul?  How did they come about?  What impact and ripples did they have?

Challenges.  What was difficult for you? How did you manage (or not)?  Could you find compassion for yourself as you tried?

Surprises.  Did you find out anything about yourself you didn’t know before? Something that was a bit of a revelation?  What difference has knowing made?

Conversations.  Any exchanges that were particularly enriching?  Who was involved?  What made it so satisfying?

Events.  Which occasions and changes happened this year?  What impact did they have on you, positively and negatively? How have they left you?

Inspiration.  Did something make a particular impression on you this year?  What touched you about it?  Did you do anything to maintain the memory or learning?

Regrets.  Is there anything you wish you’d done differently? Anything you feel you need to do about it now?  Be gentle with yourself if it doesn’t feel possible.

Achievements.  What are you proud of this year?  What about it really matters to you?  Have you been able to give yourself credit for your efforts?

Hopes.  What would you like to be better – for yourself, for others, in the world?  Were you able to do anything towards that?  Be gentle with yourself and your answer.

Relationships.  Which are the most important connections in your life?  Why do they matter?  How do you nurture them?

Energy.  As an HSP, you know how important your energy is!  Have you noticed anything more this year about what invigorates and what drains you?  How did you use that information?

As American philosopher John Dewey once said, “We do not learn from experience – we learn from reflecting on experience”.

Wise words.  And a reminder to honour and be curious about our experience.