We’re now at the time of year when it somehow simultaneously feels like a new beginning, and nearing the year’s end. That means it’s fall!
While the academic calendar is now in full swing again, it is also time to start winding down on the year overall. This means it’s a time ripe with the opportunity to check in with yourself and do some self-reflecting.
Therapist Approved Tip #1: Take Stock of The Year So Far
While the year isn’t quite over, it’s not at all uncommon for the last couple of months of the year to fly by. After all, many people consider taking holidays or plan on spending time with family, friends or loved ones which can be consuming. Even with some expected time off from work (for many) it can be a pretty busy time of year.
That’s why now is as good as time as any to sit back and take stock of how the year has been going for you so far. You may want to ask yourself some of the following questions for reflection:
- How do I feel about the year overall? What have been my highs and lows?
- Do I have any unfinished business or outstanding goals to reach? How could I work on making progress on them before year’s end?
- What would it take to create the feeling that the year ended well? What would help me feel satisfied as I close out the year?
Hopefully, these are some simple, yet meaningful, reflection questions to help you consider the best ways to approach the final few months of the year.
Therapist Approved Tip #2: Yes, Start Preparing for Navigating the Holiday Season
Holiday season is among us. This means that we’ll all be navigating more expectations around the holidays, both within families, but also from the greater population. There can be a great deal of pressure for increased consumerism and holiday cheer. This can all have an impact on your mental health and stress levels in the coming months.
Yes, it may seem premature to start thinking about the holiday season now, but it will be here quicker than you know it. After all, at this point you may already start fielding requests and plans about the Thanksgiving holiday (especially in the United States).
Before things get overwhelming is a good time to slow down and think about how you truly want to spend your holidays. Common ideas that often come up in conversations with clients are:
- Where will you spend a given holiday, and with whom
- When you’re there how might you most like to spend your time
- What limits or boundaries might be helpful to minimize stress and promote self-care
As we all settle into fall, and prepare for the final 11-ish weeks of 2024, hopefully these questions can help you take stock of your year, and help you discover how to close the year out right.
If you’d like some support on reflecting and setting your new goals, we can help! Schedule a free consult to work on this (and whatever else you want) with a licensed therapist that you can actually afford.
