The New Year is almost here. It’s a time of year when individuals, couples, and families take time to look back at the year that’s passed, and look forward to the coming months.
Do you and your spouse observe the changing of years as a couple? Do you want to start? If so, we’re sharing six ways the two of you can welcome the coming year together. Let’s dive right in.
1. Recap this past year.
Knowing what you want out of the new year becomes clearer when you recap the year that has passed. Talk about this past year together, focusing on all notable elements of the year. What amazing things would you like to remember–and repeat, if possible? What didn’t work out? What do you want to leave behind, and what do you want to bring with you into the new year?
We can learn many lessons from previous years as we move forward. Discuss and journal these details with your spouse, then share what you’ve learned.
2. Talk about the coming new year.
What are you anticipating about this new year? Talk about it together. Share what you hope to learn this year, and what you hope to accomplish.
What are you both looking forward to, as individuals? What are you looking forward to as a couple? In what areas can you work together, and in what areas can you provide support and cheer each other on?
3. Share your dreams with one another.
Dreaming is healthy. It brings us hope and happiness, and helps us believe that anything is possible. Fuel that positivity and optimism as you enter the new year together. Do you have big dreams for the new year? Share them with one another so you can be each other’s biggest cheerleader.
4. Set tangible, actionable goals.
Setting New Year’s goals that are both tangible and actionable will help you each start taking steps to making the changes you want to make in your life. Whether you’re looking to break an old habit, create a new one, or accomplish something big this year, create goals–even smaller goals–that will carry you where you want to go. Then, share these goals with one another so you can help each other stay on track.
5. Let go of last year’s pain.
It’s not beneficial to hold onto pain from the past year. Where possible, let go of painful memories and hard feelings as you move into the new year. Carrying pain with you will only drag you down and keep you from creating the year you’re dreaming of.
That said, there are some circumstances and situations that are not easy to leave behind. If you’re struggling with grief or circumstances beyond your control, it may be beneficial to seek professional counseling in order to get the support you need to thrive in the new year.
6. Reprioritize for the new year.
Reflect together on your priorities from the past year. What did they look like? Do you want to keep your priorities the same, or do they need to shift in the new year? Now is the best time to revisit your priorities and make adjustments where needed. If you and your spouse can do that together, even better.
Start the New Year off on the right foot.
Many people set New Year’s resolutions and goals surrounding their health and wellness. If this sounds like you, Healthy Me, Healthy Us is a great place to start. Your relationships are only as healthy as you are–psychologically, spiritually, and emotionally. Click here to learn more.
Do you and your spouse approach each new year together? If so, do you have any traditions you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments.
My wife and I last Sunday set off to hike along the lake in our Provincial Park, slid off the icy road backwards down a snowy bank and were lodged there for three hours due to our tow-truck rescue misplacing our call for help. We had the four-way flashers blinking up the barren hills all around, the zooming-by highway traffic within view and Van Morrison and the heater blaring. We were warm and dry and just a little shaken up, but gave ourselves the time to reflect and plan on the New Year soon arriving. ..maybe faster than that tow-truck. “) We remembered a list taken from a Focus on the Family magazine about the topics to touch on in looking back and looking on to strengthen our marriage and give hope for the future. Keeping our emotions in check was a priority as we realized we are in it for the long-haul. Let’s just say that subscribing to this website has been a God-send to us, especially in times like that when we needed to pause,,,,and remember… Thanks