I’ve developed my own traditions over the years. My personal rituals have made New Year’s Day my favorite holiday. These traditions are inspiring and give me that “fresh start” feeling, but also help me continue my healing work from CPTSD, and to build on prior successes. Here’s a quick take on a ritual that takes two days–New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, that starts my year off right.
Review the previous year
I review my previous year‘s goals and do a write-up of what I accomplished and what I didn‘t, with some comments. This isn‘t long or extensive. It‘s quick, particularly because I‘ve already written self-reviews of smaller steps throughout the year.
Part of my review is rereading those writeups of the smaller steps, too. That is a reminder of what the year was like and my ups and downs during the process.
Write my resolutions
These are not specific or tangible (that part comes later). I start with one broad theme. For example, last year’s was “Develop”.
I then turn that theme into a broad goal for each of these areas of life:
- Health
- Personal
- Work
- Relationships
Write the first challenge of the year
This is where it gets specific and tangible. I break my goals down into one priority step at a time. I use a framework that I call “challenges”. Throughout the year, I write these challenges up with a specific strategy and end date. The default time frame is 66 days per challenge, though this can vary. After each, I review and then set the next challenge. Wash, rinse, and repeat throughout the year.
Watch an inspirational movie
The Pursuit of Happyness” is my favorite movie. I’ve watched it every New Year since first seeing it in the theater in 2007. It shows how to get through tough times, pursue your passions through it all, to let go of those who don’t support you, and to keep those you truly love close by keeping your integrity.
I’ve also watched “The Martian” for the past several years. This movie is a sci-fi epic, but it dramatically depicts the most basic rules about how life works. Decide what you want and need. Note obstacles to achieving it. Solve the first problem. Then the next, and the next, and the next.