I know I’m not usually known for brevity in my posts. I write the way I think, and my brain is usually a pretty crammed place. So I’m always grateful when folks take the time to read my musings.
But I’ve been in a rather reflective mood these past couple days, and while I’m storing up my words for later posts, I thought I’d share something I’m finding fascinating on many levels. I recently discovered Mathias Jakobsen. creator of Think Clearly. And today as I was poking around his website I discovered he has a practice of writing an annual report about what’s happened during his year. I love the idea and can imagine incorporating some version into my own practice, or perhaps even mutating it to a more frequent review. The possibilities seem endless and intriguing, especially as I’m currently rethinking what new practices sound deliciously inviting. But besides being inspired by the idea of the practice itself, I found what he wrote about quite interesting in itself. And so I invite you to pop over and give it a read.
I’d love to hear what you think, so do tell.
Totally love this … I do a Timeline of moments & memories that make up my year but I like the idea of having more of a narrative, a story to go with it filled with all the intention, growth, milestones, remembrances like when he wrote of his mom…a where I was when I started the year to where I am now. Picture it ending up as a coffee table thing that anyone could read unlike my journal. Great find! Thanks for sharing it
I agree. I’ve done a number of things over the years for my-year-in-review project, but this has such a fresh feel to it doesn’t it?
I do a sort of annual report but I work it into Advent. I could never find any rationale for Advent except for a numerical connection with the seven chakras.
There a 4 weeks in Advent which runs roughly to the Winter Solstice. I have always used the Winter Solstice as the real intention for the Christmas Holiday period since Dec. 25th never even existed back in the time of the Jesus story. So I figured there had to be another reason. So with the 4 weeks of Advent leading to the Winter Solstice, then 3 days leading to Christmas, I apply the seven chakras to the 4+3 to Christmas.
The first week of Advent I reflect on my physical body, what has worked and what hasn’t worked in the last year. I journal on it.
The second week is the emotional/sexual body and was has/hasn’t worked around that the last year. I follow the first 4 chakras to Winter Solstice and then do facilitate a big celebration where we journal everything we are letting go, burn it up, and then get ready for the next 3 chakras that will move us to what’s next for the upcoming year.
It’s a bit involved but I just wanted to share that I do a 6 week end of year process every year to reflect and create New Year Resolutions (sort of) and then some. That’s for giving me a chance to share.
Thomas Maiello
What a wonderful practice Thomas! I always take the period between the winter solstice and the turning of the calendar year to do a full review of my year. I’ve organized it over the years in many ways, but one of my favorite has been taking a look at my year through the lens of the astrological houses. But I totally see how a chakra-based review would be a fabulous lens as well. I’m definitely inspired.
This is amazing! I love this idea. We have tried to find practices that mean something to us as a family, but as we don’t hold to any particular spiritual traditions, the holidays can seem a bit empty for us. It is fun to decorate the house, and have family over, and share presents, but the meaning is a little lost on us. This is a Beautiful Thing we could incorporate, and it would help, as you say, with end of year Letting Go, and Getting Ready for the New Year. I absolutely love it! Thank you!
I do an review of the year and I use Leonie Dawson’s planners as a template. While it is goal focused, it also has a lot of space to reflect on what went well, what we can learn from and what we’re grateful for, and in a way everything that happens fits into one or more of these categories. I always get a lot out of it and I think, ‘I should do it more often, maybe monthly’. But then I don’t. I’d love to see how you go with it!
Forgot to mention that I hardly ever get deep into the planning section, it is the reflective part that really works for me.
Good for you Tat! I really do believe that periodic reflection is not only essential, but so very helpful. I continue to dance with how I do this – I do little reviews at the dark moon before setting intentions at the new moon; I do larger seasonal reviews, and then of course an annual one. But I’m always on the lookout for deepening my practices and mixing them up a bit – allowing for some fresh new perspectives. And right now I’m that mood of looking at everything I’m doing and seeing what tweaks feel good.
I found this very inspiring. Anything advocating sharing ourselves more deeply is on my lists of effective material. Plus he reminded me of Simon Simek, writer of ‘Leaders Eat Last’ who I found on a surf of Ted Talks last year. I’m glad you shared it
Good call – I do see the connection with Simon Sinek. I still haven’t read his second book yet, so now I’m inspired to bump that up on my list.
As a non-english native speaker, I learn so many words from you! And the content is so in line with my studies of psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology- reflecting, reflecting and reflecting…on the work, on clients and on ourselves.
I’m always delighted when you stop by and say hello Anna. It does seem we have a lot in common, although I’m not as good a traveler as you are. 🙂
Debbie – I love this conversation. I adore Thomas’s tradition, and want to incorporate that into my family. I like this idea in general. I grew up in a home that sent out Traditional Christmas letters that could sort of seem like a bragfest about the kids who were doing well, and a prayer request for *ME* usually, or the ones that were falling by the wayside, or out doing their own thing. So, the end of year stuff has not been a pleasant idea for me. I like this new way of seeing it. We celebrate the changing of the seasons, because we are so closely tied to them through our farming. But having traditions that bring us into the traditions as well – what have we learned during the year – this is grand.
Oh Liesl, I think it’s so exciting when we find right-fit practices that feel delicious to us. Sounds like you’re on to something with this, and I look forward to hearing how it goes.
I have a feeling this would fall into the category of Fabulous Ideas I Don’t Implement. Oh! I could include that in my imaginary report!
I’m with you in the crammed-brain department, Deborah. And I love the meanderings of your life.
LOL – I love that Harmony. Perhaps you can consider this a FIDO – fabulous idea, doing overruled. Although I confess an invisible and imaginary report sounds pretty impressive to me.
thank you for mentioning my work. I feel proud and honored. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, thoughts or comments or if you find yourself in NYC and wanting for a cup of great coffee.
—Mathias
What a kind offer Mathias, and I’m delighted you stopped by. You’ve given a lot of us some pretty wonderful things to think about. Thank you!