End of Year Reflection Questions

Every December I pause to do some reflection on the past year. This is a simple practice that allows me to pay attention to important things that I would probably miss otherwise. I carve out some focused time, and sit with a journal, pen, and some questions. I do this in a posture of listening with God, aware that contemplation with the Creator can often lead to surprising insights and ways of seeing that I didn't have before.

To be honest, there is a lot of resistance I feel about looking back on this year. I experienced a lot of loss, grief, and ambivalence in 2021. So as I reflect on this year, I do it fully knowing that God is in those spaces of loss too. And I do it with gentleness and kindness toward myself.

I invite you to do some of your own end of the year reflection. If you want, you can use my reflection questions below. Or of course you can decide on your own version.

​End of Year Reflection Questions:

1. What did I love about this year?
2. What was challenging about this year?
3. How did I grow/change in the past year?
4. Pick three words to describe this year.
5. What moments were most memorable this year?
6. What am I grateful for this year?
7. Who am I grateful for this year?
8. What did I learn this year?
9. What new things did I try this year?
10. What were significant discoveries this year?
11. Name the year. 2021 the year of…
12. What am I looking forward to this coming year?