Whether you picture flipping the hourglass, rewinding the clock, or burning the calendar, there is something cathartic about a new beginning. Like the fresh page of a journal, sometimes all we need is that blank slate. All the turmoil and emotion of the previous year is about to make way for the hope and potential of the new one.. In this delicate place, between the old and the new, now is our time to set in motion those manifestations we’ve longed for. Now is the perfect time to borrow the impetus of a fresh start and use some of our writing prompts for the new year.
If you are new to journaling, I suggest you start here.
15 Reflective Writing Prompts for the New Year
- What were my biggest accomplishments of the previous year?
- What did I learn from my mistakes in the previous year?
- What are my goals for the new year and how can I achieve them?
- What are some habits I want to form in the new year?
- How can I improve my relationships with friends and family in the new year?
- What are some things I want to let go of in the new year?
- How can I prioritize self-care and self-improvement in the new year?
- How can I give back and make a positive impact on my community in the new year?
- What are some things I want to experience or try in the new year?
- How can I find balance and maintain a healthy work-life equilibrium?
- How can I improve my financial health in the new year?
- How can I learn to be more grateful and appreciate the present moment?
- How can I become more organized in the new year?
- How can I be more intentional and make the most of my time?
- What are some things I want to remember in the new year?
Why Do We Make Resolutions?
There are a lot of mixed reviews about resolutions because everyone knows the disappointment of going back on our word. No one wants to admit in July that they fell off the bandwagon back in March. However, if you consistently find yourself “failing” your resolutions, that’s not a reason to stop seeking positive change in your life. It’s actually a wake up call that you should be reconsidering the kind of expectations you have for yourself.
Resolutions lend us momentum. A goal is a strip of red ribbon just waiting for you to burst through it. We need resolutions because they are reminders of everything we want to offer to ourselves and our loved ones in this life. It is powerful to use writing prompts for the new year so we clarify what we want to achieve and then set in ink the steps we’ll take to get there. A New Year’s resolution journal can you give you that extra push you need to make your goals happen.
When I was writing about depression, I mentioned the spark that can ignite our interest and keep us from sinking deeper into the tar. The same spark can help us out of the slump that naturally comes after the holidays. Having a vision to guide us out of the dark winter months, we can empower ourselves to fight for what we want, and to strive for the future.
Why Do We Wind Up Failing?
I think every person knows instinctively where they went wrong with their resolutions. Think back to past years and notice what the common thread was. For many of us, there are two themes: we lose interest or we lose hope.
We lose interest in goals that don’t engage us. These are the things we feel like we should be striving for because everyone else is, but we don’t actually have the desire it takes to move forward with them. For example, many people resolve to lose weight or to “get healthy”. They feel uncomfortable in their skin and they think this sort of resolution will make them more confident. However, they lose interest because they don’t want to go to the gym. or don’t want to diet. People think they have to do these things to reach their goal because they see other people doing them. But, if people center their goal around something that genuinely interests them – like learning how to Tango, fight Jiu-Jitsu, or play recreational volleyball – they are much more likely to get fit.
You might have those kinds of goals too, ones that you feel like you should want to do, but you don’t actually care about. Look through your list of resolutions right now and ask yourself honestly, does this thrill me? Does it even matter to me? If the answer is no, scratch it out. It’s better to have one item on your list that you really want to accomplish, rather than twenty things you feel lukewarm about.
We lose hope in goals that are far beyond our reach. For example, when I was in my teens I always wanted to write a novel. I loved writing, but I had zero experience. I couldn’t commit to the time and energy it takes to set down an entire story. When your goals are outside the scope of your capabilities, they wind up being a source of anxiety rather than inspiration. You might find that instead of feeling excited, you feel guilty about not moving forward. That guilt winds up keeping you from moving forward, so it’s a bit of a vicious cycle.
Choose goals that you can envision a clear path towards accomplishment. Even if they are difficult goals, you need only to break them down into manageable tasks. After all, it’s not like I couldn’t have written a book, it’s just that I lost hope because I never set up an action plan to make that resolution real for myself.
How Do I Narrow Down My Resolutions?
Before you start using our writing prompts for the new year, you’ll want to filter out any of those goals that might make you lose interest or hope. Is there anything on there that you are not committed to?
One tool that has been valuable to me time and again is the Top Ten Passions list.
1. Think of ten hobbies, activities, sports, or crafts that you are passionate about. These are the half-finished DIY’s lying around your house, the multitude of musical instruments, textbooks, and random paraphernalia that you are surrounded with. Each of these callings splits your time and attention. The way to succeed in a goal is to focus on fewer passions, but invest more time in each of them.
2. Look over your list of ten and naturally cross out five of the items that you still love, but you are not as committed to. It’s easier than you think. We are naturally inclined to try many different hobbies, but we know instinctively where our heart is happiest.
3. The next part is slightly more difficult. You now need to break down that list of five into three items. I suggest using a mind map or a pros and cons list, if you are having difficulty choosing, because it helps to have everything laid out. You can make a choice, when you see the joy that comes from one activity more than another.
4. Now, if you don’t have a busy schedule, then you can stop here and create a resolution using these three preferences. If, however, work and life leave you crunched for time, then you have to narrow it down to the single passion that gives you the most joy. Remember, it’s not about removing these things totally from your life. You aren’t losing anything here. You are providing yourself with the focus it really takes to improve yourself in whatever way you choose.
Think of a dancer. That dancer may love music, literature, tennis, scuba diving and karate, but they are passionate about dancing. For the time it takes to become a professional, that dancer allows themselves to put all their energy towards that singular dream. They may still have time for reading and scuba diving, but their resolution needs to include a 100% commitment to their craft.
What Does a Good Resolution Look Like?
I’ve spoken about the passions that will no doubt be on your mind, but of course there are also habits you want to break, there are tasks at work you want to accomplish, and there are family events that are important to you. All of these things can be included in your list. There is no formula for how you envision your year or how it will all play out after using our writing prompts for the new year. What is vital is that you critically consider your level of commitment. Don’t lie to yourself. If you do, that’s where the guilt slips in like an eel in your picnic basket. Honesty is the difference between accomplishing your goals and hiding them under the rug.
Along with your list of resolutions, take time to create the action steps needed to achieve them. Don’t just say you want to “lose weight”. Journal about an ideal schedule that fits your lifestyle and challenges you in an uncontrived way. Woe to those who go too hard on themselves. Whatever your goal is, go easy on yourself. Consistency is more important than intensity. Every time.
A Good New Year’s Resolution Journal Entry:
- Specific goal
- Estimated timeline
- Manageable steps
- Check in dates and Accountability measures
- Outcome/Celebration
- Reflection
Test out this format for your own goals in your New Year’s resolution journal. Be as specific as you can, and as detailed. Leave nothing up to chance. If you want the honest truth about how a resolution becomes a reality, think of how anything in your life gets done. Think about doing the dishes.
In your head, you see the idea, I should do the dishes. If it’s not important to you at the time, then the thought fades away. Maybe later on though, you need a spoon and then the idea pops up again, only now there’s a need. So you might think again, or even say your goal out loud, I’m going to do the dishes. You pick a time: right now or maybe at the end of the day, but you pick a time. Then, break down the task into steps: washing and drying and putting away. You are accountable to yourself. There are consequences if those dishes aren’t done. The outcome is that you get to make those dishes dirty again, but the celebration is that you now have a spoon to scoop out some ice cream.
One thing that usually gets left behind is the reflection. For dishwashing, it’s usually something like, wow I feel much better, why didn’t I do this an hour ago? How can I entice myself to get those dishes done faster next time? Where can I ask for help next time? How might I reward myself in the future for my efforts?
Have Fun With the Writing Prompts for the New Year!
In your reflection, you aren’t making a big deal about doing the dishes. Don’t make a big deal about your goals. Get excited about them, get committed, but move through the motions with a sense of familiarity and fun. Anytime your goal moves from passion to punishment, you know you’re off track. A resolution shouldn’t be a prison sentence. That’s why you can’t skip a step when you are planning your year. You have to narrow things down, create your action plan, and follow through.
Remember, resolutions are for everybody. Anybody can gain insight into setting goals and building or breaking habits. Just because your resolutions didn’t pan out in the past, doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from the process and the outcome. Having a standardized method of goal-setting is really what makes the difference. Reflecting on your process will make you smarter about your future goals.
Tools for Your New Years Resolution Journal:
Day Planner:
I’m a big fan of having a day planner. Compartmentalizing the days, weeks and months really is useful for long-term goal setting, especially since you can include all the daily events and activities that you have to account for along the way. You don’t need anything fancy, and you don’t necessarily have to go this route. Your daily journal entries can include a to-do list if that’s your style, or you can utilize a bullet journal if you like that look instead. There are many different bullet journals for sale online, or you can create your own. The utilitarianism of a bullet journal makes it ideal for staying disciplined, but it’s important to put your personal touches to the page as well. Add flourishes, jokes, doodles, quotes, and blurbs to the pages to add your personality to your work.
Support Network
Another thing you need to achieve your goals is a support network. This includes all the people you will work alongside, ask for advice, or generally use as accountability buddies. Write down their contact info in your New Year’s resolution journal and when you plan on meeting with them, also write down questions that come up.
Resources
There are educational resources for every habit, every passion, every possibility. If you have struggled with your goal because, like me and my novel writing, you lacked the know-how, then set yourself up for success by getting the tools and skills you need. Use inexpensive websites like Udemy or SkillShare to find classes for your project. Find groups and supplies online or preferably, in your community. Research which tools you should be using, and which ones are superlative. Research different techniques and tactics. Above all, find out what you have been missing and make that a part of your arsenal.
I’m wishing you a very Happy New Year and I’m willing you to find that spark of inspiration and stoke the flames. I’m on this journey too and I know that the most useful tool I’ve ever had to help me through my goals is the powerful connection I keep with my friends and family. Who do I whine to when I don’t want to write? Who kicks my butt into gear? Stay in touch with your loved ones and partners because they won’t let you give up on yourself.