Setting Intentions: 10 Thoughtful Year-End Questions for Everyone

This weekend, we close out 2022 and ring in 2023. Personally, I am not a fan of creating new year’s resolutions; instead, I choose to reflect back on the year we are closing, think forward to the year ahead, and choose a word of intention.

My 2022 word of intention was balance - click here to read my post about it. When I reflect on my word "balance," I feel that it inspired me in my choices and goals, and kept me in line with my personal values. I hope that I can inspire you to do the same!

This is for you...

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

Today I am giving you 10 thoughtful year-end reflection questions to support you in setting your new year word of intention. You will see below 5 questions to reflect on the past year of 2022, and 5 questions to look ahead to 2023.

By reflecting on the year past and looking to the year ahead, it will support you in choosing one significant and meaningful word or phrase that aligns with your values, hopes and dreams for what's to come. If you would like to have more than one word or phrase, that is okay, but I often try to do one so that I can focus on it and carry it through everything that I do.

Ask yourself the following questions. I suggest writing down your answers so that when you finish you will have a framework to begin brainstorming your word/phrase of intent - if you journal, go ahead and write them in there!

Reflecting back...
1. What am I proud of myself for in 2022?
2. What challenged me most in 2022?
3. Who or what made the biggest impact on me in 2022?
4. What is the greatest lesson I have learned in 2022?
5. What did I enjoy in 2022?

Looking ahead...
6. What values do I want to prioritize in 2023?
7. What goals do I want to work towards in 2023?
8. What do I want most in 2023? *What can I do/ways I can be
9. How will I take care of myself emotionally, mentally and physically in 2023?
10. How do I want to feel in 2023?

Once you have asked yourself these questions, you can begin using them to guide you in creating a list of words or phrases that most resonate and inspire you for the year ahead. If you would like a little help getting started, here is a list from one of my favorites, Stacie Swift (2022). Once you have compiled your list, choose the one that resonates with you the most. The one that inspires you to live life in line with your values, beliefs and goals.

For me, a new year, does not mean a new you. You are you...setting intentions based on where you have been and where you want to go.

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” -Hal Borland

Now, go ahead and set your word/phrase. Then post it somewhere so that you can see it every day. A little reminder to set that intention as you go on your way. Don't forget to reflect on how you are doing with that intention; but don't be hard on yourself, these things take time and practice.

Now for the kids...

In our home we keep a gratitude jar (read my article for more on that). Tomorrow night we will be reading our little slips of paper together to enjoy reflecting back on some of our most grateful moments from the past year. I highly recommend starting an annual gratitude jar in your home or classroom!

Now, to get our children to be reflective - we need to ask them the right questions so that we can get them thinking. Be sure to choose developmentally appropriate questions that are fitting for your child.

First, help them recall moments that should be celebrated!
1. What is something you are most proud of?
2. How were you helpful to someone else?
3. How did you show kindness toward others?
4. How did you take care of yourself emotionally? Mentally? Physically?

Second, help them recall moments that felt challenging. This can nurture ideas for growth opportunities.
5. What is something you did this year that you wish you had not done?
6. Is there something you did this year that hurt someone else? How could you do it differently going forward?
7. Did you do anything that was hurtful to yourself? How can you choose to do it differently going forward?

Third, help them think about moving forward in the year 2023
8. How do you plan to help others in 2023?
9. How do you plan to show kindness to yourself and others in 2023?
10. How do you want to feel in 2023?

You can certainly support your child in setting words/phrases of intention for 2023- again, depending on their age and development. I will be doing this with my children, ages 10 and 12 tomorrow.

Thank you for being here with me! I hope that you and your child(ren) find this inspiring!

I look forward to sharing all that 2023 has in store for FeelLinks!

Wishing you and yours a healthy and inspiring year ahead.
With Gratitude,
xoxo Marcelle