The Quarterly Review: A Date to Cultivate Hope!
This month I have been focusing on Hope. I want to end the month with a suggestion to reflect on this first quarter of 2025, and see all the ways in which fresh hope can be ignited as you look back on these three months.
It's the end of the first quarter of the year. Are you twenty twenty thriving, yet?
I remember when I worked for an organisation I loved being part of and how I didn't get why we did so much reflecting. I am not an analytical soul, I'm more of a intuitive let's just try it and see if it works! soul. Stopping to reflect for chunks of time had not been my practice in life to that point.
Anyway, in this organisation we had a practice of quarterly reflections which I grew to value and I am thankful for the analytical skills that were nurtured in me in that time. As I moved into private practice I have found stopping to reflect to be an important part of my work. I try to make a practice of sitting to reflect on each quarter of the year as it passes and I have done this in various ways over the last few years.
I have teamed up with a friend and colleague and had reflection time in a beautiful location for the day. We used the day to ask one another questions, share victories and set future intentions. I have also held my own mini-retreats alone when I have needed quiet.
Here's the thing about setting aside this kind of intentional reflection time. It is encouraging and hope-building. It is also a springboard for learning and recognising future growth-opportunities.
This quarterly reflection can be useful if you are in business, employed or currently staying at home. You can reflect on professional growth, parenting, relationships, and/or spiritual growth or all of the above.
Ideas for your Quarterly Review
You will have a story in your head about how this first quarter of the year has gone for you. Reflection time is creating space to examine the story and flesh it out with some data. By data I mean you could use different sources to remind yourself of what has been happening in your daily life. I use my journals, my work diary and my photos, for example.
What has really gone well? What can you celebrate? Make a list of things, congratulate and encourage yourself! Don't let yourself say: Yes, this happened, but... Simply celebrate what you are proud of yourself for - no matter how small you think it may seem.
Happy dance your wins! Look how far you've come!
What has been a challenge? Many people have had a tough, tough start. Maybe you have had significant loss or financial trouble, or relational conflict. Make a list of your challenges. Acknowledge the ways these challenges have impacted on you physically, emotionally, practically, on your parenting and other relationships.
Likely, you're going to want to move swiftly on to dealing with said challenges...But I want to encourage you to stay here for a moment. In the midst of challenges, what have you been able to do that you are proud of yourself for? Is there anything or anyone you are thankful for that has helped you in the midst of a challenge?
What is (at least) one thing that is cultivating hope in you as you reflect on this quarter?
At the start of this year there were a lot of pretty memes about thriving in 2025!
What does thriving mean and feel and look like to you?! You could use this question to set some intentions for the next quarter.
Also, there are 4 sets of journalling prompts available on my website here if you would like to use some prompts to reflect.
Coming up in May!
