By Leo Babauta

These days, the years just zip past us like a passing bullet train. Whew! Where did the year go?

Every December, I challenge myself (and all of you) to a process that I call “Sacred Bow” (rhymes with “wow”). It’s meant to combat that slippery passage of time, and to deepen our learning of the year.

I think of this as a gentle practice — taking a little time at the end of a year’s passing to reflect, review, learn, and feel complete about how it all went.

It’s also a practice of setting intentions for the coming year, and the structure needed to keep ourselves to those intentions.

It’s one of the most powerful things I do each year.

Let me share a little about this gentle practice.

The Gentle Practice of Reflecting on Your Year

Most people don’t like to look back on things (a failed project, the end of a relationship, the end of a job) because there are difficult emotions embedded in thinking about something like that.

We might have old habits of being harsh with ourselves, of shaming ourselves. That’s no fun!

What if looking back on something important can be a time of gentle reflection and self-compassion rather than harsh judgment and shame?

It doesn’t have to be about what you “should have” accomplished but about taking a kind, honest look at your journey this past year.

I recommend taking a little quiet space for reflection — December is the perfect month for this, because it’s darker than most months and lends itself to slowing down.

Turn off devices, make yourself some tea, light some candles, and simply sit with the year that’s coming to a close.

Notice what brought you joy and life, what lit up your heart, what you learned and loved. Notice what you struggled with, where you shut down, where you had difficulty bringing commitment or love.

Acknowledge all of this without harshness, letting yourself feel any emotions for a few moments before letting go of what needs to be let go of.

Celebrate every victory, no matter how small, and acknowledge yourself for whatever effort you were able to put in.

Setting Intentions and Structure for the Coming Year

Once you’ve reflected on the past year, celebrated victories and gotten clear on old emotions … then it’s time to get clear on your intentions for the year to come.

I find this a powerful practice of imagining what could be. Of reflecting on my deeper values and what lights me up. Of setting a direction and then committing myself to it deeply.

What would be amazing for this coming year? Make a list, and let your heart speak. Don’t let your fears tell you that it’s not possible.

Then create structure — what commitments, calendar blocks, accountability or other structure will help you keep strongly to these intentions?

Join Me for the Sacred Bow Challenge

I lay out the entire process in my Fearless Living Academy, where our community of people taking action in their lives go through this Sacred Bow Challenge together.

I’ve recorded videos to help you with each step. There’s a template document you can use. We have places to share, and ask questions. And I do a live video workshop to help you with the process.

Join us! I’d love to have you be a part of this with me.

Join Fearless Living Academy and be a part of the Sacred Bow Challenge.