Can I just be honest here for a second? I don’t think I actually have deep thoughts. I would try to come up with profound insights and ended up with a whole lot of nothing.

So this year, I just started making bulleted lists and my fingertips flew over the keyboard and quickly filled up the screen.

I ended up answering four questions that helped me think through the year and I’m satisfied that I captured the most important parts of 2023.

1. What were the highlights of 2023?

Looking back through my calendar, my gratitude journal, and my social media posts, it was so much fun to remember all the good things that happened! 

2. What didn’t go as well as I would have liked?

This wasn’t the most fun list, but it was an important one. Not to bring self-condemnation, but to bring self-awareness. It also gave me some direction for the 4^th question.

3. What surprised me?

No matter how carefully I plan for a new year, there are always unexpected things that pop up. Some good. Some not so good. I only have one thing on this list. Something that was completely unexpected and had a big impact on the year.

4. What am I hoping for 2024?

This part was so much fun to write! I wrote down small things and big things. Anything that I could think of. I’ll be working through goals for the year this week and I’ll be pulling from this list.

I journaled all of these things using the DayOne app. I LOVE this app. You can create as many journals as you like so I have one for daily, one for photo-of-the-day, one for health & fitness. You can add photos, videos, and more. I love how it gives you an “On This Day” view and it shows you all your entries from the same day through the different years. I’m not an affiliate for it, I’m just a huge fan.