Why we should reflect on the year…
Self-reflection is important if you want to live your best life. Even though you should review your life throughout the year, it’s important to set some time aside to evaluate the whole year and reflect on it. This will allow you to recognize your achievements, reflect on the lessons you learned, examine how you could improve your life moving forward and figure out what gives you joy and passion for the year to come.
Here are some questions I asked myself to reflect on for 2018…
What made me laugh the hardest this year?- An obstacle or a challenge that I overcame this year?
- What I learned about myself this year?
- What was my biggest regret of the year?
- What new positive habit I embraced?
- What negative habit I let go of?
- This year I broke out of my comfort zone by?
- My biggest misuse of time this year was?
- What I am most grateful for this year is?
- What advice would I give myself for 2019?
Reflecting on the year has been something I have done for decades. It helps me to see my accomplishments and be proud of myself, as well as look at the areas that need improvement. As I look at the questions above, the ones that stick out the most to me are; an obstacle I overcame and what I am most grateful for.
The obstacle I overcame in 2018 was my fear of public speaking. I was terrified my whole entire life of public speaking. When I was young at school, I couldn’t bring myself to participate in presenting in front of the class. My face would turn red and I would forget or stumble over my words. It was very painful! Even as an adult in my career profession, when I had to get up in front of an audience, I made all kinds of excuses why I couldn’t take part in the task.
In the summer of 2018, I reached out to a speaking coach to help me overcome the fear of public speaking. During that time, I practiced in front of small audiences, mostly people whom I felt comfortable with, and did some hypnotherapy as well to help with this debilitating fear I had. For the first time ever, I stood on a stage in front of 100 people whom I didn’t know and spoke 10 minutes about my book. I was nervous but what was different this time was I didn’t allow my fear to stop me! I took all the tools my coach had taught me and as I was speaking, I noticed how my words and energy connected with the audience. What I learned through this experience was that I am good at public speaking and I really enjoyed connecting with the audience. When I ventured out with my coach, I never thought I would develop enough confidence to speak in front of 100 people. What was different this time, I learned tools to help me prepare, to believe in myself and not let the fear stand in my way!
The next question that stands out to me is; what I am most grateful for this year. My daily practice always is to connect with gratitude for my family, friends, good health and being happy. What I am most grateful for is all of you! The followers who subscribe and read my eblasts, use the website as a resource to read blog articles, find out what’s happening and the likes, follows and shares on social media.
I have had personal experiences with anxiety disorder so I feel your pain and know what’s like to walk in your shoes. By creating this online community for people who either struggle with anxiety, or know of someone who suffers, I hope this is a place to be inspired, and motivate you to overcome your anxiety challenges. Just know that you are not alone!
As we near the end of 2018, thank you to all the supporters who help bring awareness to anxiety and look for new events and posts to come in 2019…
Happy Holidays!
Melissa A. Woods
Photo credit: Adobe Stock by christianchan and fotogestoeber
