I’ve been fascinated by the idea of writing a New Year Letter to myself. A letter where I would pen a few words with my hopes, intentions and perhaps a little bit of internal wisdom to be looked back on a year later. But the stumbling block came when I realized I had no idea how to start.
I did some googling (as you do) but in truth, some of the instructions just felt a little bit overwhelming. There were lists of questions to answer and that felt a little too much. So it was left with the need to give me some structure, but not too much structure as to stifle my creativity.
This was the format I used. It helped my words flow, and I was fascinated to read back on the insights and thoughts that poured out of me. I can’t wait to pull out my letter next year when I begin to write my second one!
If you’d like to hear me talk through this process, I discussed it on my podcast, Here to Thrive. You can listen to that on iTunes here: www.thrive.how/iTunes
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Write in the 2nd Person
I started my letter with “Dear Kate”. There is something about referring to yourself in the 2nd person that allows your mind to really step back from your experience from a moment. You do become the observer. I find exercises such as this are always more powerful when you write in the 2nd Person. I continued my letter using You, Yours.
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Start with Reflection on the Year Before
I began my letter with a reflection of what has been. Too often we push our way through life always striving for the next achievement but we forget to reminisce and marinate in the beauty and joy that is actually all around us. Savoring our joy is crucial to our happiness. After using a prompt I let the words flow. I didn’t edit my words. I started this paragraph with:
**2017 was a year of…
I also went on to answer the two following questions in this section of my letter:
**What have I learned this year?
**How did I grow?
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How do you Want to Feel in the Year Ahead?
The next session I spoke about how I wanted to feel. What I was craving more of, and what were the themes that were becoming apparent to me. Again, I let the words flow. I didn’t overthink things. As I wrote, 3 themes became apparent. For me, I’m craving more Peace, Creativity & Surrender (aka Miracles and letting things Flow – goodbye control freak!).
**What are you craving to feel this year?
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What Do You Want to Do?
I like to think of this piece as a New Year bucket-list. The power of this part of the letter is that we are SO much more likely to create things if we get them out of ourselves. This is a mini-commitment to what you want to do. Ask: What are the boxes you want to tick in the coming year? Do you want to skydive? Go on the overseas trip to Iceland you’ve been wanting to do for years? Or start your own business or blog? What would feel like awesome action when you looked back at this letter in years time? Bullet point if you like.
**What do you want to do or achieve this year?
This letter is JUST FOR YOU so however, it comes out is fine! If you write 5 pages great. If it’s 1 page like mine, all power to you. If you don’t like this structure, create your own. The rules don’t exist here.
Have a wonderful year, and remember above all else, to enjoy the ride.
Kate x
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Hi. I’m Kate Snowise. I’m a Life Coach and host of the Here to Thrive Podcast. I help people get clear on what they want, need and crave, and then helps them take the steps to move towards that.
I believe life is about more than surviving and being good enough. Each of us truly has the ability to thrive and live a beautiful, aligned life where we remember and connect with our authentic selves. I have an MSc in Psychology (the positive kind that concentrates on what is right with you). To read more about Reconnect & Reboot Program head here: www.thrive.how/reboot