Year in review: reflecting on relationships in 2024

As part of my year-end routine, I spend a few journaling sessions from mid-November onwards reflecting on the year. This is episode #2 in the ‘Review your year’ series. The other issues are here.

I prefer to do it progressively instead of in one half-day session, which gives me more time to reflect on each area of my life.

Reflections don’t just happen in the moment. Sometimes, you write about a topic and keep thinking about it through the day as your thoughts mature.

I am now reflecting on my relationships in 2024.

I like to structure my thoughts across three areas:

• Relationships that enrich: These connections bring joy, support, and positivity into your life. They help you grow and feel valued.

• Relationships that changed: These involve shifts in dynamics, such as growing closer, drifting apart, or evolving roles, which might prompt reflection on what led to the change. This could be due to a change in job, a breakup, drifting apart, a nephew growing up, etc.

• Relationships that worsened: These connections have become strained or unfulfilling and require reflection on what went wrong and how to address it. Note that this does not mean you should end the relationship. For example, a relationship with your family would be something most people would want to fix.

Here are the prompts to help you reflect on your relationships.

Year in review prompts

Which relationships enriched your life the most this year? What made them meaningful?

Which relationships changed through the year?

Which relationships worsened your life the most this year? Why did they worsen it? Are they still relationships worth keeping?

Year in review prompts from previous issues

What were the three most difficult things you went through this year? What did you learn through the process?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!