CONQUERing Collaboration: 5-Tips to Year-End Reflections

It's natural to reflect on everything that happened in a year as you approach the end. From promotions to losses, you've likely experience a lot this past year. 

Year-end reflections can help you make sense of the previous year, practice gratitude for what you're ending the year with, and set goals for the year to come. It's a way to appreciate your bravery and strength for making it to the end of the year. 

It's hard to put into words how grateful we are for everyone who interacted with our brand this year. We're able to do incredible things and achieve our wildest dreams because of the people that support our small fidget jewelry business. 

That's why we wanted to use our final monthly collaboration for the year to give our SuperFans a place to reflect on their year. Before we turn the blog over to them, we will define year-end reflections and share some tips so you can do your own reflections! 

What is a Year-End Reflection? 

Simply put, a year-end reflection is a review of the past 12-months. You can then use the findings from that review to influence the future. 

It's a chance to think about moments you were proud of, to recognize everything you've accomplished, and to leave behind anything that's getting in your way from achieving your goals. 

Year-end reflections are also a chance for you to practice gratitude. Focus on what you're grateful for and what you want to bring with you into the new year. 

What to Reflect on at the End of the Year? 

If you're not sure where to start or need some ideas on what to reflect on, we have a few general categories that can get the reflections flowing: 

• Moments you felt proud. Go through each month and pull out moments that made you proud. List out everything you've accomplished, as well as what you want to recognize. It could be something big, like a promotion at work or getting married. It could also be something small, like learning how to cook or reaching your reading goal. 
• Obstacles you had to overcome. Think about any setbacks you experienced this year. Analyze if you were able to overcome them or if they completely threw you off course. Are those obstacles resolved? Was there anything you did that really worked to push through? Try to resolve anything so you can start the year with a clean slate. 
• What brought you joy. Do you feel like your year was filled with more positive or more negative moments? Pick out what brought you joy and commit to focusing more on that in the year to come. If you feel like negativity ruled your life this year, take a moment to pat yourself on the back for getting through it. Then, think about what you need to do to leave it all behind so you can have a joy-filled year. 

At the end of the day, you really just want to take a holistic view of your year. From the highs to the lows, review every single thing. The reflection process can tell you a lot about who you really are, and can help influence who you hope to be in the coming year. 

How to Do a Year-End Reflection: Five Tips for Reviewing Your Year

There are many different ways that you can do your year-end reflection. There's no right way to do it; it truly is a matter of preferences. 

Here are five tips we have for ways you can review your year: 

1. Write down your reflections. Write down everything you want to reflect on from the year. You can categorize it, write it in long-form, bullet it, etc. What's most important is that you reflect on the good and the bad. Writing down your reflections is a great way to track your progress for the next year and to reminisce on everything you went through in the years leading up to the current moment. 
2. Take action. Use your reflections to take action. This could apply to the remainder of the year by making amends and resolving any outstanding conflict that occurred earlier in the year. It could also mean making the choice to leave behind what cause you pain as you transition into a new year. 
3. Create a scrapbook. Reflecting doesn't have to be sitting at a desk and writing in a journal. You can reflect on your year in pictures by creating a scrapbook. Choose pictures of big milestones, moments that brought you joy, and clippings of any milestones you want to remember from the year. This makes a lovely keepsake to share with others or return to on your own. 
4. Collaborate with others. Share your reflections with your friends and family to spark ideas and remind each other of notable moments from the year. If you plan to leave something behind or change behaviors, sharing them with others is a great way to hold yourself accountable in the new year. 
5. Set new goals. Use your reflections to influence your goals and resolutions for the new year. Use the good from the year to set goals that continue that behavior. Use the bad to influence what you'll avoid and learn to let go of.

There are many other ways you can set up your year-end reflections. As long as you feel like you have closure and are ready for the year to come, the method is truly up to you. 

What Do People Reflect on at the End of the Year? 

Now that we've defined year-end reflections and shared a few ways that you can do it on your own, we wanted to share what other people reflect on. 

We asked the CONQUERing Collective Facebook group to share what they are reflecting on as the year comes to a close and to share what they're looking forward to in the next year. 

The Good of the Year

Members shared a lot of good that happened this year. Hopefully, this sparks some inspiration for your own reflections. 

Here are highlights of the good moments the CONQUERing Community experienced this year: 

• New job opportunities and promotions at work
• New relationships that are fulfilling and healthy 
• New human babies and fur babies that grew families 
• Time spent with loved ones
• Self-discover and growth

These good moments are all things we can relate to. Both external and internal factors are things you should consider when conducting your own reflections. 

The Bad of the Year

Members also shared the hardships they faced this year. Some of our members lost loved ones that they mourned and grieved. They remembered the good times they shared with those loved ones and will carry their memories with them into the new year. 

There was also unemployment, illness, setbacks, and challenges that got in the way of achieving their goals. We admire the resilience of the CONQUERing Community and are inspired by their vulnerability. They turn to each other for support and feel comfortable sharing what they're going through with their community. 

It's impossible to avoid bad things happening for an entire year. There will always be things that are out of your control. We applaud members of the group for sharing these hardships and facing them head-on. Their bravery is admirable. 

A Look Toward the New Year

Many members also shared some of the goals they have for the new year as they wrapped up their reflections: 

• Lauren E. is looking forward to fun new adventures, health & happiness for her family, and continued growth & love
• Jenny D. is looking to deepen connections, embrace self-love, set boundaries, and find resilience & joy in the journey of life
• Brandy W. is looking to rebuild and recover from the hardships of this year 
• Sacha S. wants to keep enjoying life to the fullest and cherish every moment with family and friends. 

All of these reflections and goals have inspired us to start our own. There is still time to do this work to set you up for success in the new year. 

Conduct Your Own Year-End Reflections 

Now it's your turn. Take some time for yourself to think about this year and feel proud of yourself for making it through. 

We will leave you with these inspiring words as you embark on your own journey into reflection: 

"Strength, healthy new changes, and a positive outlook are what I wish myself and everyone else here."—Annika P., member of the CONQUERing Collective