Do people still even make resolutions anymore? Usually, I’m all about them, but something about the close of 2024 didn’t give me the giddy, energetic feeling to do it. Weirdly, I felt like I was more so grieving the ending of 2024, and everyone’s perfectly curated end-of-year wrap-up posts on social media felt like salt being rubbed into an open wound. I second-guessed everything and none of my accomplishments felt “good enough” to be proud of. Hell, even my Spotify Unwrapped music recap had me questioning my 2024 self, lol.
As the final days of the year loomed, I came across an Instagram post from Morgan Harper Nichols that made me rethink how I reflected on the end of a year. It made me go a little deeper, pull some gratitude from a place I didn’t think existed, and realize I had something to be proud of. She provided a series of six fill-in-the-blank style journal prompts. This was the prompt that felt the most natural and easiest for me to complete:
More than any other year, this was the year I learned to ＿＿. I am proud of myself for ＿＿. If I had to tell the younger version of me about this year, I would say, “This was the year you ＿＿“. I am grateful that this year gave me the opportunity to ＿＿ and as I look forward to the new year, I am looking forward to ＿＿.
And here is the prompt with my responses added:
More than any other year, this was the year I learned to start believing that I was worthy of life again. I am proud of myself for hosting a three-day “Lauren-palooza” (lol) to celebrate my 35th birthday, because my life is worth celebrating. If I had to tell the younger version of me about this year, I would say, “This was the year you decided would be the last year you lived in fear of chasing after your passions“. I am grateful that this year gave me the opportunity to show up better for myself, my family, and my friends and as I look forward to the new year, I am looking forward to continuing on my self-love journey, prioritizing my self-care and what brings me joy, and trusting God to realign my life.
As we enter into the second week of 2025, I encourage you to visit MHN’s IG post and find a prompt that resonates to guide your 2024 reflection (if you haven’t done so already). I really felt like the prompts helped me sort through all the muddiness of 2024 and find some gems to celebrate. Also, MHN creates a lot of other amazing content in the form of daily affirmations paired with beautiful digital art, so please check them out beyond the IG post I linked above.
Until next time,
Get well. Be well. Stay well.
Lauren ♥