The beginning of a new year is such a wonderful time for reflection and resolution. There seem to be lots of opinions about New Year’s resolutions; I’ve heard that they’re essentially useless, that habits rather than goals are far superior, that winter isn’t a time for goals but for stillness. But opinions aside, New Year’s Day is a turning point- a literal new beginning. Winter slowly becoming spring is a natural marker for new beginnings. And determining to live more intentionally- finding ways to make this life count, whether big or small- is a great tradition to start each new year.
Besides personal resolutions, taking time as a family to reflect on the past year and plan for the upcoming can be so meaningful and beneficial!
Here are some basic guidelines for a fun, productive family New Year’s meeting:
Have food– every meeting is instantly better with snacks.
Writing materials and a “family secretary” to keep track of all the ideas.
These basic questions/topics to discuss:
Past year reflection
What did we do well this past year? Eat out less? Declutter? Finished that house project? Stopped using fragrances?
What prayers did we see answered? If you keep a prayer journal or prayer jar, look back on prayers from throughout the year and see all the ways God was there. Our human brains tend to be very forgetful in this way, so it really helps to have a log of some sort. If you haven’t previously kept one, starting a prayer journal or jar for the new year can be a great personal or family new years activity!
Look back over last year’s resolutions and acknowledge which were accomplished or kept consistently and which were left behind that you might want to revisit. Again, having them written down helps with remembering. Making a small poster at the beginning of the year with plans, prayers, and resolutions is useful because it can be referred to throughout the year and at the beginning of the next!
While looking at weak areas that need improvement is helpful, giving credit for strengths is actually even more so, so make sure to find something about which to say, “we did really good!”
Favorite moments.
Memorable places we visited.
Difficult things we made it through.
Milestones reached.
New Year’s resolution topics:
Things to stop/give up
What is something our family does without meaning to or more than we want to? What’s something we’ve gotten into the habit of accidentally? Watching too much TV? Everyone going off on their own in the evenings? Eating artificial colors and flavors?
Make a list of a couple of these things that are within your reach to realistically stop. For added likeliness of change, make a plan for what you’ll do instead!
Things to do more
What are things we already do but inconsistently or only occasionally that are life-giving and good for our family that we want to increase. Things like family walks, reading, cooking at home, having morning Bible study time. Brainstorm these things and make a plan for how to make them a regular part of your days and weeks.
Rhythms to start
Unlike goals, which have an end in mind, rhythms are more like habits or routines, like a beat that keeps time in your life. These are like the “things to do more” category, but new. Maybe spending time outside daily, having creative time once a week, or taking language or music lessons.
Projects/plans
This is more the “goals” category. What are things that we can do and mark “accomplished” this year? Painting the house? Building a chicken coop and getting chickens? Reading a certain number of books?
Travel/trips
Probably the most exciting category for most of us. Vacation plans? Family or friends to visit? Be realistic here, don’t put things that are totally out of reach (but don’t be afraid to dream- and pray- a little!). Whatever you list here needs a plan too, like all the other things. How much do you need to save in order to take this trip? What arrangements will need to be made and by when?
What other things do you reflect on or look forward to at the beginning of the new year? Let me know in the comments? 😁
