6 questions to help you reflect on 2024

2024 has been one of the biggest rollercoaster journeys anyone has experienced in a long time. There have been some incredible victories and devastating losses, but all in all, this year leaves us with hope for a better tomorrow.

Now, here’s the thing; setting unrealistic expectations of yourself for the New Year is futile, and it really only makes you feel bad for not achieving them. The point of reflection and change is reliant on your ability to let go of habits and patterns that don’t benefit you physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As many self-help pages will tell you, reflection is a winning habit that will only help you learn more about yourself, and have a safe space to process your feelings. Take full advantage of it.

You can reflect while writing in a journal, or just being immersed in thought. But do you know what's more wholesome? Shared reflection with your loved ones. You can sit with your people and know what they feel about their year as well.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself as the year draws to a close.

What was the best moment you experienced this year?

Feel free to think about anything that made you feel the happiest. This isn’t necessarily achievement-related. It could be working on reconnecting with your family or trying a new routine that helped you feel stronger and healthier. It could be a big life moment like moving to your dream city, landing a dream job, or even learning new skills. The point is to reflect on what made you the happiest, and perhaps how to ensure you can keep yourself as happy as possible in 2025. 

What was the hardest challenge you experienced this year and how did you overcome it?

2024 has thrown curveballs into many people’s lives. It’s no secret that when you encounter something challenging, it takes incredible effort and commitment to overcome it. Maybe, you’re still overcoming it. Use this prompt to recognise your strength to overcome something difficult, especially if you’re still working on getting past it. The silent battles you fight are often the hardest, so please be easy on yourself and recognise the efforts that you put in every day.

Who were the people who made you feel the most valued and loved?

This is a really important prompt, because one of the most important things people learn far too late in life, is that you are the company you keep, and that company reflects you and your state of mind. Something that you should leave behind in 2024 is making time for people who did not make time for you, or drained you and disrespected you, platonically and romantically. Take a moment to reflect on your hardest moments, and who held your hand in those times. Remember and appreciate them for being there for you, and let go of the people who did not. Holding on to people who don’t want you is only going to hurt you. Accept that some people are meant to be in your life only for a short time, to help you learn something about yourself or even about the world. Keep your loved ones close, and let go of those who no longer occupy the same position in your life.

What is the most important lesson you learned the hard way?

More often than not, cautionary tales don’t achieve the desired results more than experiencing the tale yourself and knowing better in the long run. Think about the challenges you faced this year, specifically one that you were warned about, but didn’t address until much later. Perhaps, when there was damage done, and once you got down to dealing with it, you finally had the epiphany someone else had and told you about a while ago. Write about why you think you might have done it, and how you can avoid doing it in the future.

What have you repressed this year and why?

Denial certainly is a powerful defence and coping mechanism, as is humour, but not when it starts to affect your life in ways you don’t even realise. When was the last time you addressed *that* emotion/experience? Something that hurt/troubled you so profoundly you did not even take time to catch your breath, and you just buried it deep inside you. If your answer is more than 6 months ago, use this prompt to explore it. It’s okay to cry and feel. It is okay to take some time out and let yourself recover from what you experienced. How you feel is valid, and journaling could be a safe space for you to unleash all that you feel. 

What is a pattern/habit you’re trying to break/let go of and why?

Patterns are an essential part of life, unless it is actively or passively damaging you. A lot of people depend on certain habits and patterns because it makes them feel safe. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you think something is holding you back as a result of a pattern, it’s time to re-evaluate it. A new year is a new beginning to creating new routines, new pathways to better lives. It can only start when you reflect on what you call a pattern. Is the comfort of this pattern that draws you in? Or is it the protection it gives you from something you’re running from? Write about what it is that keeps you hooked to it. 

As 2025 begins, prioritise your wellbeing, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Let go of people who don’t care for you, break unhealthy patterns that keep you stuck in the same place, and give yourself the space to make mistakes and learn from them. Don’t chastise yourself for messing up and then repress it. Be your own cautionary tale and learn from yourself and those around you.

Lead: Netflix

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