December calendar pages on the ground, time passing

End of Year Reflections: Letting go & Holding On

Last Thursday I facilitated the final Virtual Café for 2021. The initial conversation starter I presented the group:

As 2021 comes to a close and 2022 begins, what will you leave behind and what will you take with you?

First folks had a chance to talk in small groups of 3 and 4 people. Then a few shared with the full group.

All sorts of answers arose:

Leaving behind…

  • Achievement addiction
  • People pleasing
  • Perfectionism
  • Overwhelm
  • Being hard on yourself

Taking with…

  • Boundary setting
  • Simplicity
  • Focus
  • Worth/value
  • Ease

The “taking with” list makes me exhale.

How about you?

red cubes showing year change 2021 to 2022

As for me, I’m shedding a few “formalities” including:

  • Pushing too hard for something I may be good at but don’t want
  • Work that isn’t fun (this is belief I heard from family. It’s been a doozy to relinquish!)

What I’m taking with me

  • Fun
  • Ease
  • Purpose
  • Power
  • Profit

Letting go can feel exhausting, because, well, holding on is a lot of work!

So, in the final weeks of 2021 I’m taking time to recharge and refocus to ensure I have the energy to put myself out there in a more powerful way to solve the problems I want to solve (more on that at the beginning of 2022).

Your turn to talk to me/Questions for reflection

As 2021 comes to a close and 2022 begins…

  • What will you leave behind that no longer serves you?
  • What will you take with you that works?
  • How will you recharge and refocus?
Posted in

Like what you read?

Become a Shed The Formality insider (it's free!) and get insights & inspiration twice-monthly, delivered straight to your inbox. Don't over think it. Sign up today!

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Need a speaker?

Create a meaningful and valuable experience when you hire Stacey to Host, MC or moderate a panel at your upcoming meeting or event.

Consider Sharing

Posted in

About the blog

Humor, stories, and insights, delivered 2x per month, to perform without the pressure.

Topics include mental health, work, human connection, creativity and more.

Discussion

Leave a Comment