By Lara Just, December 2024.

This blog offers tips and steps to guide you through your own reflection and manifesting new beginnings. As the year draws to a close and the colder months settle in, I’ve found myself reflecting on the highs and lows of the past year—moments of growth, challenges, and unexpected changes.

For me, one of the most significant events was finding and moving into a new home, a process that stretched over nearly the entire year. From navigating the financial realities of what was possible, to a 60-mile radius of potential homes, the journey was filled with obstacles and uncertainty. There were setbacks along the way, with two places falling through, but by the third, things suddenly fell into place, and it all came together much more smoothly than I had expected. Now, I’m pleasantly surprised by a welcoming community and abundant opportunities for outdoor activities and personal growth. It’s a chapter I could not have imagined at the start of the year, nor would I have thought it possible to overcome the hurdles I faced.

While the move was a success, other dreams and goals have yet to materialize, and some have lingered on my “to-do” list for quite a while.

Does that sounds familiar to you too?

This doesn’t need to feel like failure, though—it presents an opportunity to learn more about what might be blocking the progress. What are the underlying beliefs or habits that hold us back? What keeps us from achieving the things we truly wish to create?

A modality I’ve worked with more this year is ThetaHealing®, which focuses on belief work—removing blocks and replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones. This can be incredibly helpful for manifesting and turning goals into reality. If this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more about this healing technique, feel free to reach out.

Winter, as a season of introspection and rest, naturally offers the space for such reflection. Like the snow that blankets the earth, this quiet time allows our thoughts to settle and provides an opportunity for deep reflection. Just as trees shed their leaves and the earth rests, we too can take this time to reflect, recharge, and listen more closely to our hearts.

As we reflect on the past year, I invite you to consider:

• Can you see a blend of challenges and growth in your own year?
• Have some things worked out, while others didn’t unfold as planned?
• Looking back, can you identify valuable lessons in both your successes and setbacks?

Reflecting on both the highs and lows helps clarify what we wish to leave behind, and what we want to carry with us into the new season.

As we begin to prepare for the year ahead, this is a perfect time to think about what we want to manifest in our lives. Manifestation isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about aligning our thoughts, actions, and energy with the future we want to create.

As we prepare for the year ahead, I invite you to consider:

• Can you take a moment to visualize your dreams and goals?
• What does your next chapter look like?
• How can you take small, intentional steps toward these dreams?

It may be helpful to journal on these prompters, or to audio record if you prefer (Notability and Word create written transcripts now).

Here are a few simple ways to reflect and help with the above:

1. Journal

Write down three things you’re grateful for from the past year and three things you want to manifest in the year ahead. For a deeper process, I recommend checking out YearCompass, a free booklet that provides structured reflection and goal-setting.

2. Meditation / Guided Visualisations

Spend 10 minutes each morning focusing on your breath and visualising your future. This guided 10-minute Manifestation Meditation is a lovely example: Watch here. Our recent newsletter also includes a free mini meditation for grounding, cleansing, and protection for you which you can listen to here (on SoundCloud), there is also a meditation section on this website (in progress).

3. Draw Your Present and Future Self:

Create two drawings—one that represents you NOW, and another that depicts you in the FUTURE (whether it’s next year or a few years from now). This exercise can offer valuable insights into where you are and where you’d like to go. Begin with a simple sketch, but feel free to use colours to bring your vision to life. Whether on paper or digitally (using apps like Procreate), this creative exercise can be both revealing and empowering. For inspiration, check out our latest newslette, and blog here, where a client shares their own experience with this reflective practice.

4. Create a Vision Board

Collect images, quotes, and words that represent the future you want to create. Display your vision board where you can see it daily to stay inspired. For a helpful step-by-step guide, visit Artful Parent’s Vision Board Process. It’s a great exercise to pair with journaling and reflection.

5. Chunking & Self-Compassion

Remember that this process doesn’t need to be perfect. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and take intentional, small steps. Be kind to yourself and allow time for rest, recharge, and growth. Manifestation is a practice that unfolds over time.

The beauty of winter lies not only in its stillness but also in its promise of new beginnings.

As we rest, reflect, and manifest, we can remember that the future is not yet written and is always full of infinite possibilities.

Every moment, every decision we make, creates the future we are building.

For this winter season, embrace the quiet, trust the process, and take inspired action toward the life you’re creating.

If you’d like support or guidance for the new year, don’t hesitate to contact me.