Your Mental Health Wins and Losses: A Year In Review
Reflecting on the past year can be a mixed bag of emotions—especially when it comes to mental health. Have you struggled with burnout or faced moments where self-care took a backseat? Many things can happen in such a long period of time.
These challenges might feel overwhelming, but ignoring them could mean repeating patterns that hold you back. Imagine starting another year without addressing what’s truly impacting your well-being.
In this article, we’ll walk you through assessing your mental health wins and losses. In this post, we’ll guide you through reflecting on major choices, identifying the self-care tools that worked, and assessing your mental health improvements. Get ready to start the next chapter with clarity and strength.
Start from January 1st: Look at the Beginning
Thinking back 12 months into the past might seem like a daunting task. However, it is necessary to infuse the next 12 months of your life with focus and a clear strategy.
Ignoring these reflections could mean carrying unhealthy patterns into the new year. Without assessing mental health improvements, you might miss opportunities for genuine progress.
Try to see this task as a prime opportunity to accelerate your mental health wellness and personal growth. If you find yourself avoiding this task, take a laptop, tablet, or paper notebook to your favorite coffee shop or park. Set a timer and focus on your year-end assessment.
It doesn’t have to be formal or rigid. In fact, you can just write a stream of consciousness to get your mind moving in the right direction.
If you need some inspiration, here is a list of journal prompts that can spark your assessment.
Year-End Mental Health Journal Prompts
Take a few minutes to select which prompt(s) resonate with you the most and begin recording your answers.
Reflecting on the Past Year
What were the biggest challenges you faced this year? How did you cope with them?
What were the biggest joys or triumphs of this year? What did you learn from these experiences?
How has your mental health evolved this year? What factors contributed to positive or negative changes?
What are you most grateful for this year?
What are some things you wish you had done differently this year?
What were your biggest lessons learned this year?
Self-Care and Gratitude
What self-care practices have been most beneficial to you this year?
How can you prioritize self-care more in the coming year?
What are some ways you can practice gratitude daily?
What positive affirmations can you use to boost your self-esteem?
Reflecting on Major Choices
Think about a significant decision you made this year. What were the factors that influenced your choice? How did you feel about it at the time, and how do you feel about it now?
Did you take any risks this year? What were the potential rewards and drawbacks? How did the outcome impact your life?
Was there a moment this year that felt like a turning point? What changed, and how did it affect your path?
Reflecting on Major Milestones
What personal victories did you achieve this year? How did these accomplishments make you feel?
Did you reach a significant milestone in your career? What steps did you take to get there?
How have your relationships evolved this year? Did you celebrate any significant milestones, such as engagements, marriages, or births?
Did you pursue any creative projects or hobbies? What did you learn from these experiences?
By reflecting on these questions, you can gain valuable insights into your growth and development. Journaling can help you process your emotions, identify patterns, and set goals for the future.
Remember, there's no right or wrong way to journal. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself and to use journaling as a tool for self-discovery and growth.
Putting It All Together
Hopefully, after spending time distilling your year onto paper or laptop, you feel a bit more hopeful about your upcoming year. You might be surprised at just how much you’ve managed to achieve and change in your life in the last twelve months. You might feel proud of the challenges you’ve overcome and the milestones you’ve achieved.
Unfortunately, you might feel the opposite. You might feel emotionally deflated from the changes that you weren’t quite able to make, or the hobbies and projects left untouched. Reflecting on a significant struggle might bring up feelings of anger and loss that you had thought were behind you.
If you feel lost and even more overwhelmed by your year-in-review, it might be time to seek an objective, professional opinion. Family and friends might be able to provide a listening ear for your feelings. However, a trained professional such as a psychotherapist or a counselor has the skills necessary to help you untangle the feelings and thoughts that are negatively affecting your mental health.
Dreading The Approaching New Year?
Looking back at your year might have revealed patterns in your life that give you pause . If you’ve noticed yourself becoming more withdrawn, anxious, or depressed - these could be signs that your mental wellness is declining. When left unchecked, these issues can spiral, affecting each subsequent year of your life - and increasing in severity.
It’s crucial to take these signs seriously. Seeking professional counseling or therapy is a proactive step in the journey to your best life. At Sweetgrass Therapy, we specialize in supporting diverse individuals through personalized treatment plans to address their unique struggles. Early intervention can make all the difference - you don’t have to carry any past struggles into the next twelve months.
Don’t wait—reach out to Sweetgrass Therapy to schedule an appointment. Investing in your mental well-being now sets the foundation for a healthier, happier year ahead.
Ready to take the first step towards healing and recovery? Contact Sweetgrass Therapy today to schedule a consultation. We'll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
At Sweetgrass Therapy, beginning counseling is a straightforward process.
Fill out our New Client Form, and our Client Care Coordinator will contact you to schedule your first session. They will also send the necessary intake paperwork to complete via our secure client portal.
Our office team will verify your insurance and provide a benefits quote for counseling payment, ensuring a smooth process.
Then, you'll meet with your therapist to begin the process of healing and recovery.
If you're curious about starting counseling, please reach out today. We're here to guide you every step of the way.
Don't wait – take control of your life and start your journey towards healing.
