Reflect on 2023

All, Self-Care

by Tori Roalef
December 26, 2023

As we close out the final week of 2023, we invite you to look inward and back on the year. If we were to plan for the new year before reflecting on what has passed, we would be doing ourselves a disservice by not allowing us to process our emotions, thoughts, and memories from the past year. Essentially, we would be carrying some of the heavy weights from the past year into the new year without giving ourselves time to pause and set down the weights.

So, whether you look forward to planning for the new year or want to hold onto 2023 for just a bit longer, let’s take a moment to look back and appreciate the journeys from the past year.

The Idea of the Week

Reflection is not just a stroll down memory lane; reflection is a powerful tool for growth, mindfulness, and setting the stage for our next steps. In this first 8-minute article, let’s see How Looking Inward Can Improve Your Mental Health. Self-reflection involves a component from mindfulness: being present with yourself and intentionally focusing your attention inward. Self-reflection is important to build your self-concept and plays a key role in self-development and personal growth.

The Practice of the Week

These moments of self-reflection serve as a compass for growth and self-discovery. Below is a list of self-reflection prompts to help you navigate the highs and lows, victories and challenges of the past year. Some of the prompts are from Lavendaire’s New Year Planning: Reflecting on 2023 journal (a 13-minute video).

“2023 was the year that I…”
List the highlights and achievements that you are proud of in 2023.
What are your wins?
What are the moments that you want to remember?
What worked in 2023? Whether it’s big or small, such as a positive belief you adopted or a micro-habit that you developed.
What didn’t work in 2023? What mistakes, failures, or let-downs happened and, most importantly, what did you learn from them?
What did you learn in 2023? Whether it’s life lessons or skills, or both!
How did my life evolve in 2023? How did your life change throughout the year?
What about 2023 are you most grateful for?
Reflect on your priorities: did you allocate time and energy to what truly matters to you? How can you refine your priorities for greater fulfillment in the future?
Who were the three people whose friendships you appreciated the most this year?

Now, as we’re reflecting on the year, we can shift our attention to the past and the future. Below are a couple of prompts from this 10-minute article that take us to the past, present, and future.

Where were you five years ago and where are you now?
If all goes well, where would you love to be five years from now?
Based on that vision, what do you want your one-word intention to be next year? How can you manifest it in your everyday life?
What is one thought that you are currently holding on to that’s not serving your wellbeing? Why are you holding onto it and what empowering affirmations can you replace it with?
What is one bad habit you are working on removing from your life, and what is one new habit you wish to bridge in its stead?
What are three things you would love to do more of next year? How will you make more time for them?
How can you start your mornings more mindfully this year?

Finally, after a bit of reflection, let’s wrap up the year with a bit of tidying to start fresh in 2024. In this 13-minute video, Rowena Tsai gets a head start on the new year and invites us to reset our lives together for 15 minutes a day.

The video is the first part of a series and begins with cleaning her space and setting intentions to bring more inspiration, intentional productivity, and mental clarity into her space. The remaining videos cover three other important areas of her life that you can check out as well.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook and Instagram page!

News of the Week

Creative Tarot Workshop

Embark on a journey of connection and discovery in this 2-hour workshop! Immerse yourself in a sense of community, delve into the rich history of tarot, and craft a personalized tarot power card to take home—your source of ongoing inspiration, guidance through a current issue, or to expand your life exploration!

February 11, 2024
12-2pm
Cost: $55

Located at Breathing Space Psychotherapy, 3455 Erieville Road
Erieville, NY

Reserve Your Spot!

Meg Tobin, LMHC is now an End of Life Doula!

End-of-life doulas provide emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come, and guidance while grieving. Though Meg is not doing traditional doula work, she will work with end-of-life clients and their families utilizing ketamine.

DID YOU KNOW?

OVS may be able to help if you have unreimbursed crime-related expenses, such as medical bills, counseling costs, and funeral expenses, or assist with loss of earnings or support. They can help pay for therapy for crime victims, including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy!

Find out more!

Another Upcoming Retreat
Unlocking Your Mind:
A Journey to Self-Discovery
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Retreat

Two Ketamine Journeys—lots of deep dives into experiential therapy incorporating meditation, writing, art making, yoga, and other body-centered modalities. Step away from the stressors of daily life and fully immerse yourself in the therapeutic process. We will use Ketamine and experiential therapy to break through the stuck places to find more freedom, pace, and motivation!

Zoom Preparation Session: Thursday, January 25th from 6-8 pm.
In-person: Thursday, February 1st from 4-9 pm.
In-person: Friday, February 2nd from 8:30 am-8 pm.
In-person: Saturday, February 3rd from 9 am-5 pm.
In-person: Sunday, February 4th from 8am to 9am.
Zoom Integration Session: Thursday, February 8th from 6-8 pm.

Learn more

You may be able to finance the retreat. Use the QR Code below to see if you prequalify!

Understanding Ketamine Therapy in
Light of Matthew Perry’s Passing
A Focus on Safe Practices at
Breathing Space Psychotherapy

Ketamine, an anesthetic used in hospitals and in psychotherapy to treat serious depression, has been tied to the tragic death of the beloved actor, Matthew Perry. In light of the recent news, there may be confusion around the safety of ketamine in psychotherapy.

Head to our blog to learn more about Ketamine Therapy and our safety practices at Breathing Space Psychotherapy.

Are you ready to elevate your team’s well-being?

Breathing Space Psychotherapy can offer your company a partnership to provide personalized support for every member of your company. Our counseling team offers confidential and expert guidance to help navigate both personal and professional challenges.

Are you ready? Contact Jackie at [email protected] to explore tailored solutions for your team. Together, we’ll create a support contract that reflects our commitment to a healthier, more resilient, and thriving workplace.

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