👋 Welcome to the 2023 Annual Recalibration template!
One of my favorite things about the dawn of the year is taking time to slow down and reflect on how life has played out over the last 365 days.
The process of reviewing journal entries, weekly & monthly reviews, calendars, and photos makes way for themes to emerge. It allows us to connect disparate strands of ideas and feelings in ways we couldn’t have connected day to day.
Every December, I carve out a few weeks to look back in pursuit of propelling forward. Annual reviews give us the space to zoom out and take a bird’s eye view of the year rather than default to recency bias as we set intentions for the new year. For me, it’s my way of finding my way back to myself and taking a moment to tune into the person I want to become.
I use this template to guide my process and update it with new questions every year.
If you’re looking for more ideas, check out a collection of annual reviews that have inspired me along the way.
— Cissy (@cissyrxhu)
<aside> 💌 For more background, check out these two essays:
• Annual recalibration: 2023 edition
• Trading goal setting for identity aligning
</aside>
Adapt this process & curate a set of questions that bring you joy 😌
This template is meant to give you a starting point and inspire you to turn inward. Refine this process in a way that serves you.
Make time to reflect and create space to marinate ⏳
Block dedicated time to go through the review. I’ve found that it’s often best to do it over the course of 2-3 weeks.
Create an environment where you can free yourself from the day to day 🍵
Give your mind the space to flow freely. Change up your surroundings: work from a different part of the house, visit your favorite coffeeshop, or travel to a new location.
Find a partner to reflect with 👫
Introspect in solitude, reflect and set intentions with a trusted other.