I always love reading about the year-end “best ofs”—the most notable books, movies, photographs, scientific breakthroughs, and more. Newspapers highlight their most-read stories, podcasters reshare their top episodes, and iconic organizations like the Oscars, Grammys, and Nobel Prize honor the winners. It’s fun to be “wow’d” and get inspired by learning about or revisiting the bests. We definitely don’t need reminders about the worsts of the year! Most of us spend far too much time lamenting those.
As the year winds down, many people focus on setting New Year’s aspirations. It is wonderful to aspire to positive change, but goal-setting often starts from a place of perceived shortcomings – where we are lacking. Making a resolution to eat healthier, start that hobby, meditate, set better boundaries, etc. implies that we are falling short in those areas. Though that may be true, it can also make the process feel more like an exercise in self-criticism than empowerment.
So, here’s a more joyful, alternative approach: before diving into resolutions, revisit your personal “best of” moments from 2024 and celebrate them. These are the moments that warmed your heart, made you laugh, gave you a sense of pride, or left you in awe of life’s beauty.
Some of mine? Spending hours in a broken down rental car in Scotland with Tara and Maya, eating and telling stories, while waiting for someone to fix our tire. Reconnecting with a childhood friend, after 45 years, who drove two hours to attend a book launch event. Sitting in volcanic hot springs and watching howling monkeys in Costa Rica with Eric. Watching the eclipse through my neighbor Sue’s glasses. Achieving Amazon bestseller status and receiving a gold book. Crushing it twice on TV. And, the overwhelming support of my friends and family who hosted or attended book launch events. Each one is seared in my memory. As I write this, more and more keep coming to mind. Just thinking about any of them makes me smile and fills my heart with love, gratitude, and pride.
Sometimes our “bests” don’t come to mind right away, but they’re often captured in photos, social media posts, in calendar entries, or in conversations with loved ones. Here’s how you can uncover some of yours:
- Scroll through your camera roll – Let your pictures remind you of the people, places, and moments that made your heart sing.
- Scan your social media posts – Look for the highlights you’ve already shared with the world.
- Check your calendar – Rediscover the meaningful events or milestones you’ve marked.
- Ask your partner or closest friend for input – What did they see as one of your “bests?” Their answer may surprise you.
Once you’ve landed on a memory that brings you joy, take a moment to savor it. Close your eyes and relive how you felt. Send a silent blessing to the people who shared that moment with you and hold that memory close as a reminder of the many good times that filled your year.
Then think about those New Year’s intentions. From this place of gratitude and celebration, you may find that your 2025 aspirations take on a new light. Instead of starting from a sense of “not enough,” you’ll be rooted in a sense of joy, abundance, and possibility.
Wishing you delight as you reflect on your “best ofs” and a soft, joyful entry into 2025!
