Let go of your baggage and start the new year with serenity

The end of the year is often a time to look back and reflect. It's when we take stock. What went well, and what caused us stress? The challenges and difficult moments that have accumulated over the course of the year can give rise to mental and emotional blocks. But this period also offers a wonderful opportunity to make peace with this baggage; by consciously letting go you create space for new and positive experiences.

Write it all down in a baggage book

Writing things down is a strong ritual for letting go. Take a moment to note down the things you found particularly tough over the last year. These could be arguments, disappointments or unexpected events that are weighing on your mind. Writing them down gives you clarity and creates distance between you and your stressful thoughts. It helps you realise that it's OK to let go of things you can't control.

A little tip: at the end of the year you could burn or rip up these notes to really reinforce the act of letting go. This symbolic gesture shows that you are truly ready to look to the future.

Establish a thankfulness ritual

Thankfulness is one of the strongest emotions when it comes to focusing on the positives and finding inner peace. We often tend to give much more weight to the bad than to the good. A thankfulness ritual can help you change your outlook. Consciously take the time to regularly reflect on the things you are grateful for. This ritual will change your perception over the long term and help you rid yourself of negative thought patterns.

The ritual of forgiveness

Forgiveness is key to letting go of your baggage. We often hold on to hurt, disappointments or mistakes, whether self-inflicted or caused by others. However, they only weigh us down. Forgiveness is a powerful tool for finding inner peace. Start with yourself. Forgive yourself for things that you perhaps would have wanted to do differently but were unable to. Be gentle with yourself. You did the best you could with the resources available to you at the time.

Create a vision board for the new year

Rather than just focusing on the past, you can also use the end of the year to visualise your wishes and goals for the year ahead. A vision board is a creative way of setting out your dreams and ideas in pictorial form. Look through magazines for pictures, words or symbols that inspire you and represent your goals for the new year. Stick them on a big sheet of paper and place it where you will see it often. Every time you look at it, you'll be reminded of what you want to achieve.

The right attitude for letting go

Letting go is an act of self-care. It doesn't mean that you're indifferent to the past, but rather that you're ready to live in the present and look forward to the future.