Time for self-reflection

The transformative days between the years are basically perfect for self-reflection. We remember events from the past year, revisit positive experiences and gradually detach the memory of painful events from the difficult emotions associated with them.

Meditation and reflection are not the same thing.
When we reflect, we activate an experience in our imagination, relive it and link it to other neural substrates. In doing so, we may enjoy the pleasant experience once again with joy or gratitude, or we may give a difficult experience a new perspective and approach it with more understanding, forgiveness or compassion.

When we meditate, on the other hand, we do not mentally imagine anything, but simply become aware of what is there in the moment. We dwell in the immediate, somatic experience, while the imagination and thinking about the experience naturally fade into the background.

Ideally, both meditation and reflection are part of daily life.

In the last few weeks, I suddenly realized how much I had lost sight of my daily reflection. Since I meditate extensively and my days were otherwise filled with all sorts of activities, I actually lacked the time to reflect. For some reason, I suddenly felt very exhausted and only then did I realize that I hadn't left myself any time to reflect.

For the coming year, I want to consciously bring reflection back into my everyday life and set aside at least a few minutes every day for it. I have resolved to write down my experiences every day in my new agenda for 2025.

What good habits would you like to revive in your everyday life in 2025?