End of Year Reflections

By: V. Srur

2024 has definitely made a mark. Christmas season is the best time to reflect on achievements, challenges, and growth before starting fresh for the new year. Take a few minutes and think about where you were and what you were doing a year ago. It is proven that the brain continues to develop and refine itself throughout adolescence and even into adulthood,  so even if you think you haven’t changed, every year our minds go through the process of maturity.  
 
The end of the year, with the spirit of Christmas, naturally leads to a reflection of new beginnings and the renewal of hope which may inspire many to approach the coming year with optimism and resolve to carry forward the joy, forgiveness, and compassion that Christmas embodies.  A lot of us probably hear “we learn from our mistakes”, which can be hard to accept and digest but it is surprisingly true. Accepting mistakes and reflecting on them can be quite hard. It is for me as well. You just can’t help but think, 'what if the same actions had different outcomes now?'. When we commit an error for the second time, that is exactly when reality hits us and you realize you cannot just continue repeating your mistakes. An end of year reflection is the perfect time to acknowledge the things you aren’t proud of, but especially the small and big successes of the year. 
 
Everyone should believe that the end of year isn’t a “closing statement” but a pathway to new growth and development. So write your yearly resolutions, and say your final goodbyes to 2024, because 2025 awaits so many great opportunities if you have the right mindset and believe that nothing is a “closing statement”. ​