My New Year’s Ritual
By Laura Burns, R. Ac, R. TCMP
It’s that time again: the end of a year, a new one here.
Have you noticed the pressure, subtle or not so subtle, that comes with a new year? For some, you may feel genuinely inspired to set goals and actions, but for many we’re just trying to undo the constant “Am I doing enough?” mindset of hustle culture.
The ritual I developed years ago can serve you in any capacity. I started with the following intentions:
To find gratitude, even - or especially - if it was a tough year
To track and appreciate my experiences, growth, or lessons
To remind myself that I am enough
At the heart of the ritual, it’s taking an honest look at the question: Am I spending my precious time on earth doing what I value most?
It’s a simple ritual, and simply titled: My Year in Review. I take my time with it over several days (especially now with a tiny human at home); it’s not about rushing, it’s about savouring and enjoying.
This ritual looks back instead of forward: it appreciates rather than pressurizes. It celebrates rather than criticizes. It inspires rather than intimidates.
If you’d like to do it with me, follow along…
MY YEAR IN REVIEW
Set a vibe: be it pouring a cup of tea or cocoa, lighting a candle, playing music you enjoy
Grab a journal and pen, or open up a note-taking document on your computer
Think of your life as a pie chart of key categories. Here are some categories to consider: Work / Friends / Family / Physical Health / Mental Health / Travel / Society / Arts & Culture / Love / Loss / Spirit / Education
Choose a few categories that feel most relevant to you. (One year I even included ‘Celebrity Sightings’ as a category - have fun with it!)
In point form, using your categories, write a few notes, memories, accomplishments, lessons learned. Tip: Looking back at a calendar or in journals helps me fill in the gaps as I review and digest the year.
Take a moment to soak it in and give yourself some gratitude
Too busy for a detailed reflection on your year? For a quick but also impactful version of this exercise: Take 3 deep breaths. Write out 5-10 things you’re deeply grateful for this last year.
Then if - and only if - you would like to set intentions for your 2024, you can add this onto the ritual as a Part Two:
Use the same categories, or create new ones.
Write down one or a few goals or intentions for each
Some years, I have an extensive list of goals for the categories, whereas others I set just a few intentions that I can deeply explore as themes throughout the year.
Questions to consider with Part Two of the ritual:
How do I want to feel, and how can I cultivate and radiate that energy outwards?
Whether or not I have the perfect job, relationship, or family life, what are some intentions for how to show up in my integrity in the imperfect life I’m living right now?
What’s one thing I regret not getting to do last year? How can that inform what I do or how I live this year?
What is something I’m curious about?
After completing this ritual, I like to ground it with a physical practice of some kind, be it yoga, acupuncture, or a meditation.
I absolutely love using acupuncture as a physical and energetic tool to support people in embodying their health and wellness goals. If you’d like to book a session to reset and re-energize with the new year, you can find me at Natural Route Health.
And if you try this ritual, do let us know how it went - we’d love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Laura
For more information and to discuss if Facial Acupuncture is right for you, book a free meet and greet with Laura!
