Hi dear friend,
I hope you are well? We have now stepped gently into a reflective season and I have been taking stock of the year. No wonder I am so tired. A lot has happened, but God gives grace for them all. We are strong in Him alone.
It seemed like yesterday when I made my first post for the year on How Employers Can Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace. I remember the series came off the back of being invited to speak at a multinational to their black community, we had a rich conversation about supporting a diverse workforce.
I have learnt so much since then about managing my small organisation, and being part of a larger organisation and integrating into new teams rapidly and successfully. I have learnt new ways of bringing people with similar values close and keeping those relationships alive. God has been kind.
I remember reminding us to pray this year more than ever before. The change in my heart has been phenomenal. Without doing any vision boarding or formal reflection, I see it in how I react to everyday circumstances.
What about you? How has your year been?
We will be getting into festivities next week and you may be busy with more responsibilities and activities leaving you with little to no time to take stock of the year.
As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the highs and lows that shaped your journey. This period of introspection often brings an urge to set goals for the year ahead. But how often do we approach this with kindness toward ourselves?
Self-compassion is the key to creating intentions that are realistic, fulfilling, and mentally nourishing.
Here’s how to start yourself on the path to embracing self-compassion and set intentions for a healthier, happier you.
Why Self-Compassion Matters
Self-compassion allows us to reflect without judgment, helping us:
- Acknowledge our achievements, no matter how small.
- Learn from mistakes without unnecessary self-criticism.
- Create intentions rooted in self-care rather than self-punishment.
- Move forward with actionable solutions rather than more problems
Reflections
1. Celebrate Your Wins
Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments.
- Write down 3-5 things you’re proud of from this year.
- Include personal growth, acts of kindness, or moments of courage
- Expand to include people, places, circumstances, opportunities, deliverances, revelation
✨ “Every small victory is a step forward. Celebrate them all.”
2. Reframe Challenges
Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, focus on what you learned.
- Ask yourself: What did this experience teach me?
- Practice gratitude for the lessons learned, even in tough times.
💭 “Challenges are the stepping stones to wisdom and resilience.”
3. Forgive Yourself
We’re often hardest on ourselves. Let go of guilt or regret.
- Write a letter to yourself forgiving past mistakes.
- Remind yourself that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
- Investigate which voice you speak to yourself in. Note it.
Setting Intentions for the New Year
1. Prioritize Your Well-being
Your mental health is the foundation for everything else, don’t take it for granted because it doesn’t squeak when it’s failing.
- Commit to habits like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy. When I say COMMIT, I mean COMMIT with your time, money and energy. Invest in knowing why you are how you are, noticing your thoughts patterns, what gives you concern, what gives you energy. Invest in you!
- Practice saying no to protect your energy. Give room for more powerful yeses.
💡 “Your well-being is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.”
2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Intentions should feel achievable, not overwhelming.
- Set one or two meaningful goals that align with your values.
- Break them into smaller steps to celebrate along the way. People often talk about the 4 week year and then taking it from there. Do what works for you, however you will never know what works until you try.
“Perfection is the enemy of progress. Aim for growth, not flawlessness.”
3. Nurture Your Relationships
Meaningful connections are vital for mental health. Take lessons from relationships without taking it personal. Go back think in things and search your heart to improve your life.
- Intend to spend more time with loved ones or build new friendships.use that phone calendar to book things
- Strengthen your support system by showing vulnerability and trust. Reward good support and relationships. Write a letter,a review, support them, give time, give money, love them publicly ,buy a coffee, encourage good people please.
4. Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude shifts your perspective and improves mental health.
- Start or continue a gratitude journal. Make it easy for yourself. I haven’t succeeded here but I keep trying. It’s important.
- Intend to appreciate small joys daily. Life can seem doom and gloom but it’s not true. There is joy in the Lord.
💭 “Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.”
Shareable Snippets for Inspiration
- 🌟 “Be as kind to yourself as you would to a dear friend reflecting on their year.”
- ✨ “Self-compassion is the bridge between reflection and meaningful growth.”
- 💡 “A healthy New Year begins with loving yourself as you are today.”
As you close the chapter on this year, let self-compassion guide your reflection and intention-setting. Celebrate your wins, forgive your missteps, and set goals that nurture your mental health. The most important resolution you can make is to treat yourself with the love and kindness you deserve.
💭 “The New Year is your chance to rewrite the story with gentler words and brighter pages. Start with self-compassion.”
Here’s to a healthy and fulfilling holiday season! 🥂
Until next time, stay authentic,
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
2 Cor 3:2(MSG)
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
