Create Your Vision for the New Year Through Journaling
The start of a new year can be a great time to reset, readjust and reimagine what’s possible. It’s a time when many of check in with the direction of our lives and set clear intentions for the year ahead. One of the most powerful tools for directing this energy is journaling. Putting our thoughts on paper allows us to reflect, gain clarity, and envision what we truly want. Checking in with ourselves in this way can help us move into the coming year feeling purposeful and aligned with our values.
Why Journaling is Powerful
Journaling creates space for self-reflection and deeper connection with your thoughts and feelings. When we write by hand, we are in effect forced to slow down our thoughts, which can increase our sense of presence and capacity for contemplation.
How to Use Journaling to Create a Vision
To start creating your vision for the new year, carve out some quiet time to sit with your journal. This could be a block of time on one day, or you may prefer to dedicate 10-15 minutes a day over the course of a week. Reflect on where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to focus your energy in the coming year.
Below are some journaling prompts to guide you:
I’m ready to let go of
Now I am ready for
This year I choose
I resolve to get better at
The big dream
Bringing Your Vision to Life
Once you’ve explored these prompts, review your journal entries and look for recurring themes or ideas. These insights can help you identify a few core intentions for the year. Write them down clearly, using affirming language, and keep them somewhere visible—like on a vision board, your desk, or even as a daily phone reminder. Next, make a plan for incorporating these intentions into your day to day life. For example, if your intention is to “be more courageous” you might join your local rock climbing gym or sign up for improv classes. By using journaling to uncover your vision, and then pairing that intention with action, you’ll set the foundation for a meaningful year that aligns you with who you are becoming!