Embracing Change, Meaningful and Intentional Rest, and Growth
[Originally posted to Psychology Today on 3 December 2024]
As the year winds down, it’s natural to pause and reflect. Each experience—whether joyful or challenging—shapes our growth. This post invites you to take a moment to honour the lessons of the past year, embrace the changes ahead, and explore how meaningful and intentional rest can provide the foundation for supportive transformation. Let’s explore together how creativity, intentional pauses, and forward-thinking can guide us into the new year.
A Simple Practice to Ground Yourself
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to center ourselves. Wherever you are right now—sitting at your desk, attending to household chores, or scrolling on your phone—try this quick breathing practice:
Inhale deeply through your nose for 3 to 5 seconds, letting your chest and belly expand fully.
Hold the breath for a moment, noticing the stillness.
Exhale completely through your mouth for 3 to 5 seconds, releasing tension and letting go.
Repeat this two more times or as many times as you like, with each breath grounding you a little deeper. Even in life’s busiest seasons, small acts of mindfulness like this remind us of our capacity to find stillness within.
Ask yourself:
When was the last time you intentionally paused during your day?
How can you incorporate more grounding moments like this into your routine?
Honouring the Past Year: Reflecting on Growth
The end of the year is an opportunity to honour what we’ve been through and what we’ve achieved. Reflecting on the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons learned, and the ways you’ve grown can provide clarity and a sense of accomplishment.
For many, creativity and connection become powerful tools for this reflection. Writing, drawing, movement, or even simply talking with a trusted friend or therapist can help us process the ups and downs of the year. Personally, I’ve leaned on writing—whether through journaling, blogging, or even creating my book—as a way to navigate my journey.
Ask yourself:
How have you processed your experiences this year?
Is there a creative or other outlet you’ve turned to, or one you’d like to explore?
Take a moment to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences can illuminate how far you’ve come and what’s most meaningful to you right now.
Embracing Change: A Path to Transformation
Change is a constant in life, but it’s not always easy. It requires courage, adaptability, and often a leap of faith. As you reflect on this year, consider the changes you’ve experienced—both the ones you chose and the ones that were thrust upon you.
For me, writing has been a tool to navigate change. From journaling during burnout recovery to creating blog articles that support others, each word I’ve written has mirrored the shifts in my life. This year, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to evolve further—shifting my focus to supporting burnt-out midlife women, a journey that feels deeply personal and purposeful.
Ask yourself:
What changes have shaped you this year?
Are there areas of your life where you’re ready to welcome transformation?
Remember, change doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Even small adjustments—like reframing your mindset or trying a new habit—can have a ripple effect on your growth.
Rest: The Foundation for Moving Forward
Rest is often underestimated, yet it’s essential for growth. Without rest, we burn out; with rest, we recharge and restore our energy. The holiday season can be especially challenging for finding rest, but it’s also a powerful time to prioritize it.
Since burning out in February 2021, the meaningful and intentional practice of rest has been a change I have committed to. I haven’t always mastered it, but that’s not the point. We are perfectly imperfect human beings! A meaningful and intentional rest that I have set for myself this holiday season is to take two weeks off from work and to take two months off from blogging and podcasting to lighten my workload. This space will allow me to recharge, reflect, and refocus, so I can return in 2025 with fresh energy and new perspectives.
Ask yourself:
How do you currently make time for rest?
What’s one small step you can take to create space for renewal during this busy season?
It could be as simple as saying no to an extra commitment, setting aside an hour to read, or taking a walk in nature. Rest isn’t just about doing less—it’s about allowing space for what truly matters.
Looking Back to Look Forward
Reflection is a powerful tool. It helps us honour the path we’ve walked and set intentions for where we’re headed. Take a moment to look back on this year:
What are you most proud of?
What challenges did you overcome, and what strengths did you discover?
As you look to the year ahead, what intentions feel most meaningful to carry forward?
For me, looking back has been a way to reconnect with my purpose and rediscover what truly lights me up. Writing has been at the heart of this process—whether journaling for myself, sharing my journey through blogging, or connecting with others through my book.
Ask yourself:
How can reflection help you honour your journey and shape your intentions for the future?
Thank You
Thank you for sharing this space of reflection with me. As 2024 comes to a close, I encourage you to take some time to honour your growth, write down your reflections, and set intentions for what lies ahead.
I’ll be back in March 2025 with fresh insights under the theme Midlife Reclaimed, and I look forward to continuing to share my wisdom to help midlife women on their burnout growth journey. Until then, I wish you rest, renewal, and inspiration as we look back to look forward.