The Art of Letting Go: End-of-Year Reflection
Reflecting on the past year can be important for personal growth and development. It allows us to analyze our experiences, both positive and negative, and learn from them. We can identify our successes and failures and use that information to set new goals and plan for the future.
In addition to reflecting on our experiences, practicing letting go is important. Letting go can mean different things to different people, but at its core, it involves releasing attachments to things that no longer serve us. This could be a relationship, a job, a habit, or a belief system that no longer aligns with our values.
Letting go can be difficult, but it is essential to personal growth. It allows us to move forward and make space for new experiences and opportunities. We can create a more fulfilling and meaningful life by reflecting on the past and letting go of what no longer serves us.
For many of us, things do not always go according to plan, and we tend to focus on the negative things. So, an end-of-the-year reflection can help review all the good and negative things to create change.
As I write this, I feel I have not accomplished anything this past year, but I know I have some accomplishments. So, for this post, I will be focusing on reflecting on my health and fitness for 2023.
Reflection on accomplishments
Listing and acknowledging achievements
I ran almost 100 miles, calculated in the Nike Run Club app. I recorded some runs on the Apple Workout app, so I am sure I ran over 100 miles this year.
It worked out 165 days of the year, which is 45% of the year (it is Dec 14, the day I am writing this, so the year is not over yet; I still have 15 days left and can achieve 180 days or 50% of the year)
Recognizing personal growth
I realized that cycle syncing would be a great way for me to improve my consistency for my goal to work out daily. I tend to feel more lethargic and less motivated, my muscles fatigue faster, and I feel a little weaker overall when I am in my Luteal Phase, the second half of the female menstrual cycle. So, as I track my cycle, I can be mindful of how my body feels and allow myself grace to decrease the volume and intensity of my workouts. Stay tuned for the New Year for my detailed posts regarding Cycle Syncing.
I know I need to allow myself my sweet coffee, and adding protein helps satisfy that need.
I love sweet treats, so allowing myself to have a small portion daily will help decrease my bingeing tendencies if I restrict myself.
I am trying to implement the idea of “eat what you want, but add what you need.” So, like my coffee, adding protein powder and milk instead of coffee creamer most days will still give me a sweet coffee drink and additional protein in my daily diet. Another example is if you like cereal or granola, maybe make it into a yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt and fruit topped with the granola or cereal. Perhaps you want just a bowl of cereal; maybe add protein powder to your milk. Another example is mac n cheese; we have made that our entire meal (homemade mac n cheese with diced chicken), but we have decided to make it a side with grilled chicken and some veggies.
Reflection on challenges
Identifying obstacles and setbacks
I am continuing on my on-and-off fitness journey. I only worked out about 50% of the year. My mental health is so much better when I work out daily, whether it is a run or strength training.
I do not pay as much attention to my portion sizes or overall nutrition as I’d like.
If I do not follow my evening routine, I tend not to sleep well and may not get up on time. I start my day off slow and less likely to be productive.
Recognizing areas for improvement
Working out daily
Improve overall nutrition
Follow evening and morning routines to keep up self-care and mental health
improve productivity
Letting go of the past
Accepting failures and mistakes
I know that my menstrual cycle affects my workouts
I know that when I eat well, I feel better
I know that when I follow my evening and morning routines, I feel better
I know that when I am productive, I feel better.
Forgiving oneself and others
My on-and-off fitness journey has not achieved any fitness goals this year. But rather than beating myself up over it, I can improve my consistency this year.
Looking towards the future
Setting goals for the upcoming year
Workout daily, get 10k steps daily
Improve nutrition with a high-protein diet within my calorie goal
Follow evening and morning routines
Allow space and time for creativity
Creating an action plan
I will work out every day after work. I walk and do computer work when I can.
I will plan my meals to prioritize protein and micronutrients
I will begin my night routine after I work out and get up on time daily.
When I am sitting on the couch, I will work on my creative projects, such as crocheting and paper crafting.
Conclusion
Emphasizing the importance of reflection and letting go
Reflection is an essential process that helps us learn from our experiences and grow. By reflecting, we can gain valuable insights and perspectives we might have missed otherwise. It allows us to see where we went wrong, what we did right, and how we can improve in the future.
Letting go, on the other hand, is equally important. We all carry emotional baggage from past experiences that can weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward. By letting go of these negative emotions, we can free ourselves from the past and create space for new opportunities and experiences.
Reflection and letting go can be potent tools for personal growth and development. By reflecting on our experiences, we can learn from them and let go of any negative emotions or attachments holding us back. This can help us to live more fully in the present and create a brighter future for ourselves.
We are encouraging a positive outlook on the future.
Encouraging a positive outlook on the future is essential to living a fulfilling life. A positive mindset helps you remain optimistic, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. It allows you to see opportunities where others see obstacles and motivates you to pursue your goals and dreams. By focusing on the good things yet to come, you can cultivate a sense of hope and confidence to help you navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience. So, practicing positivity daily and surrounding yourself with people and things that uplift and inspire you is essential.
My Review
My health and fitness were not terrible for 2023, but I know I can improve for 2024! I can utilize the setbacks and challenges of 2023 to improve my overall health and fitness goals next year! I started strong, but I also wanted to achieve too much at one time, and trying to make 100000000 changes at once does not help create habits. It opens up room to become overwhelmed.
I can take that information from reflecting on the year to let go of the negative, learn from it, and work toward improving my health and fitness next year. My most significant thing is to simplify what I can to help ensure I stick to all my goals.
Disclaimer: the use of Grammarly to improve post and prompt revising original text. Grammarly, 14 Dec. version, Grammarly, 14 Dec. 2023, https://app.grammarly.com/.
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“Do something today that your future self will thank you for”
— unknown
I find that quote so inspiring. Hard work will pay off in the future, but you also have to live in the moment, and I feel like taking care of yourself is doing both. You are doing good for yourself now as well as for your future self.
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