Welcome to Janine’s Journal Jam. An offering of journal prompts and the stories that spark them. May they inspire you to jam with your journal!
Happy Holidays to you! May this time of year be filled with peace, joy, and rest.
Year in Review is about looking back through the year to remember and reflect on all that has transpired. The things you did, the people you saw, the goals achieved, the intentions you set. It’s about enjoying the highlights and reminiscing. It’s also about learning and releasing.
I noticed so many ups and downs in 2024. Contrasts between how I began to shift my business and how to balance care for me, my family, as well as the caregiving that has increased since 2023.
The space I kept trying to create in the beginning of the year was continually filled. I didn’t stop but kept trying to do it all. That constant push, pull, drag down, and spin around energy broke down my body. It forced me to reevaluate and slow down.
Throughout all my shifts, paths to healing, exploration, and curiosity, my journal was my anchor, foundation, my Pause Place that helped me clarify what mattered. It gave me space to create boundaries as I cared for myself.
It's not easy.
In this world that craves productivity and bottom line results, living intentionally and aligned with my values took the entire year to form. The shifts were tough. Despite the pain pushing through and trying to do everything caused, there’s comfort in the known. So I had to dig deep to make lasting change.
I desired to be more aligned with who I am and what matters to me. So I shook up that comfort zone with journaling, setting Soul Intentions, energy healing, reflecting, reevaluating, releasing, and trusting myself.
For me, this year was about bringing in what fueled me, aligned with my purpose, and letting go of what didn’t.
Personally. Professionally. Creatively. Spiritually.
It’s exciting to look back and see how I’ve grown, how my business is blooming, and the wonderful connections and experiences I’ve had.
This yearly review can be as detailed or as simple as you want.
Mine went something like this:
What do I wish to know about the year?
Here are some of my HIGHLIGHTS that brought me joy:
Trip to England with my family
Motorcycle rides with my husband
Family BBQ’s
Two weddings on my 33rd wedding anniversary and my 58th birthday!
Drawing
Teaching
Dinners with people I love
Coffee dates with my son
What did I learn?
Energy Healing and Dream Teacher Training
That I need space and huge blocks of time to create.
That letting go makes room for the good stuff. And how to let go.
That I’m only responsible for my boundaries, thoughts and actions.
What did I embrace?
The messiness of life. It’s always chaotic. But I can influence and shift how I react and what I’m involved in.
What am I releasing from 2024?
The need to make everyone happy.
To try and do it all on my own.
To add too much on my plate every single day!
The story that I should be able to do it all.
The meaning of success that isn’t aligned with my values.
Negativity and resentment.
Anyone and anything that dims my light.
Of course it’s a practice so my journal will keep me accountable and serve as a reminder if these sneak back in.
What do I wish to carry forward and bring into 2025?
I’m still reflecting but what stands out:
LOVE
HOPE
JOY
Sparkling, Effervescent Goddess Energy
Being my authentic self
Holding creative and energetic space for others
More Dancing, Drawing, Connection to those I love
Caring for ME!
Intentional ways to bring my programs to those who are drawn to living joyful and intentional lives aligned with their values and desires!
If you’re called to review 2024, here are some ways to do it:
Review your journal entries, calendar, photos, blogs, social media. You can go month-by-month or sit and review your yearly story straight through.
What do you wish to reflect on about your year?
How do you feel?
What were the highlights?
What brought you the most joy?
What did you learn?
What did you embrace?
What are you releasing?
To continue into intention setting for 2025:
What do you wish to carry forward and bring into 2025?
What is your Word of the Year?
My Reiki teacher does a Word a Week. Do whatever serves you best. Maybe you try it for a few weeks and shift. It’s your practice and needs to benefit your intentions.
What are your Soul Intentions? (more to come on this.)
Dreams
Desires
Hopes
Goals
Challenges
Joys
No matter what you do or when you do it, may your reflection move you forward to live an intentional and authentic 2025.
Let’s Connect: Always happy to hear from you. Feel free to share stories or how this resonates. All thoughts are welcome!
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Thank you for sharing Janine! I'm excited to use these prompts for my year in review :)