my new year’s rituals
I don’t love setting New Year's resolutions.
The pressure that I didn't do it “right” and the probability that I’ll fail at it because it’s usually not grounded in what I actually want, it’s usually about what I think I should want or am supposed to want like work out 3-4 times/week or read 40 books this year (which I did in 2019) which focus on a quantity of things without a “why” behind.
And while I can do those things… they don’t light me up or instill joy in me.
Instead, I've recently focused on setting intentions and creative/spiritual rituals around the turn of the year to celebrate the old and welcome the new. To be grateful for all that has happened and will come to pass.
I wanted to let you know how I do this because it’s helped me land my dream job, move across the country two times with my hubby, and have a baby after two miscarriages, have the best sleep of my life, teach myself how to read tarot cards, take more baths and set better intentions.
At the turn of the year, I will be doing (or have done!) a combo of the following exercises:
Last Year’s Vision Board Ritual
You know I love a vision board. And you know I love a party even more. Last year we had a group of about 20 people in a zoom room cutting pics, recalling their greatest accomplishments and memories. I’ve linked the tools we used so you can do one on your own.
Vision boarding to me feels like literal magic and I’ve seen my friends create things in their lives by gluing seemingly random things together only to get THE EXACT THING that year. Try it.
I’ve done the Whole30 a couple of times and always learn something new about myself. My favorite part of this practice is habit formation and the sleep! Seriously the sleep is the fucking best thing I’ve ever had. And with the new year around the corner one thing, we always want to develop is our habit muscles and that’s truly what this elimination diet is all about. Have you tried the Whole 30 before? If yes, what did you learn? If not, are you interested in it?
Pick your word/intention of the year
If you were to look back on this year, what would your word have been? I think mine was unbecoming. I’m not sure if I set one last year, but I do love the idea of setting a word for next year because then i always have a lens to focus on in all areas of my life.
This year I’m thinking joy unleashed… I’ll let you know when I decide.
(Also know that it’s always possible to change the word mid-year or have multiple; you can't get it wrong) What could your word of the year be?
Year Ahead Tarot Spread | Shinjini
I’m obsessed with Shinjini’s full moon and new moon rituals; I look forward to them every two-ish weeks so I can flip some cards and set intentions (new moon) and release what I don’t need anymore (full moon) in a way that feels good for me. She also has a Year Ahead Tarot with different messages through the year like goddess of the year and what to manifest. Need a deck? Let me know and I can help you choose one!
2022 Plan Your Life + Career with the Cosmos Masterclass Replay
I watched this Masterclass (which will expire on Jan 3rd) and it blew my mind and helped me to realize that the “forced" feeling I was having about my 2022 goals.
I realized that as an Aries ☀️ I'm supposed to be focused on my desires, goals and values this year and if I do that my business will take care of itself (which is exactly what my coach and I talked about yesterday!!!) I highly recommend watching this and actually filling out the workbook. I'm still vibe-ing off of it. ✨
BTW, from what I learned about my sun sign today, if you are a Taurus, Gemini, Cancer or Leo your career will be a focus of your year and I highly recommend watching this if that's the case (obviously I'm bias!).
Year Compass: Close 2021 | Plan 2022
This was given to me by one of my coaches and it’s the first year I’m doing it. My favorite part about it is that it's been a collaboration with people who have done it and it appears to get better every year. I love the reflection questions and really acknowledging what I went through last year, the ups and downs and everything in-between.
(This is the only thing on this list that I haven’t done yet, so we can try it out together!)
From this list, feel free to do only what moves you. And mix and match as you like.
Or simply: just light a candle OR take a deep breath into your torso OR take a bath and revel in how amazing and incredible you are for getting through another year.
As always, I’m proud of you and excited to see what you create next year!
Do you have favorite New Year's rituals? I’d love to hear about it.
Cheers to your inevitable success!
Nic
