Using Reflection To Move Forward

The last couple of posts we have talked about failure and moving forward from it while moving to gratitude which is crucial to have especially after failure. As we move into 2022 further one of the biggest things I like to do and I recommend people do as well is reflecting back on the past in order to move forward. Furthermore, reflecting back on the past year in order to move forward into the new year is a great way to express gratitude for what has passed and what is to come. That being said, sometimes looking back can bring up old wounds or a sense of nostalgia of what was versus what is now, but when you look back in reflection to see how far you’ve come it can truly push you to move forward graciously. So let’s explore some ways you can reflect back with gratitude and move forward with better appreciation of your past.

“The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come.” – Mick Kremling

Focus On What You Learned From Your Past

I believe that life is a never-ending lesson. Some may see it as a daunting thing, however, I see it as a way to gain more wisdom and gratitude in life. When you reflect back to see what you have learned you are able to learn from your experiences and most of all your missteps. Looking back to see how far you’ve come allows you to see the distance which can be highly encouraging. Focusing on knowing that you have made strides of improvement and moving away from toxic and unhealthy habits for the better. Also, express gratitude for the lessons and things about yourself you learned in the process. 

Use Reflection To Spot Trends In Your Life

Do you have bad habits that you cannot seem to break or less than desirable behaviors I want to change? Well, the truth is we all do. The beauty of brief reflection is you can spot triggers and trends to help you change the course of things. Understanding the past trends and patterns you can more easily recognize them when they crop up again in the future. Doing this will also allow the confidence to navigate challenges more easily when they happen. It will also give you confidence that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. 

Express Gratitude For The Lessons Learned

One of the necessary parts of learning lessons and using reflection as part to move forward more easily is expressing gratitude. If you aren’t expressing gratitude for your past and what it taught you, it can make reflection and gratitude for what is to come challenging to envision. Gratitude itself is key to many positive mindset shifts in life. If you struggle with gratitude, start small with a daily journal which will allow you to reflect back and see your progress with value. I utilize my gratitude journal as often as I can as a form of self-care. I also notice within myself when I am not expressing enough gratitude and reflecting back on my progress from time to time. 

Looking in the rearview mirror to see where you’ve been is valuable to know you are going in better directions. Taking the time to reflect back can catapult you forward in more wonderful ways than you may realize. I find it’s important to understand that the situations and scenarios you reflect on, even the messiest ones, are still beautiful lessons learned.