Set New Year's Goals with a Letter to Yourself This Year

It's a new year and what better way to keep New Year's resolutions than writing yourself a letter. Reflecting on the past year and visualizing your goals for the new year can help you get to where you want to be. Your letter can be simple - a one page love letter to yourself. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece.

Here are a few tips to help you put pen to paper for the new year:

Find a quiet space for reflection

Choose a comfortable and quiet place where you can reflect without distractions. This will help you focus on your thoughts and feelings.

Date your letter

It's important to mark the beginning of a new chapter in your life by dating your letter.

Reflect on the past year

Take time to think about what happened in your life this year. Write down your biggest accomplishments and biggest challenges. Consider what lessons you learned from these and how you grew as a person.

Give thanks

Write down what things you are grateful for this year. This can include personal growth, places you visited, important people in your life, etc.

Set your intentions

Name a few goals - 3 to 5 at the very most so you don't feel overwhelmed. Talk about your goals and what actions you want to take to get there. Consider what habits you can make or break to get to your goals.

Be kind to yourself.

Write some loving words of encouragement, reminders of your strength and affirmations to keep you motivated in 2026. End your note with a positive statement for next year.

Seal and save the letter until next New Year's Eve

Open the letter on December 31st and reflect on the journey you have had this year.

Writing a New Year's letter to yourself can be a meaningful tradition that helps you stay focused on your personal growth and aspirations. Enjoy the process!

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,

with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

Hal Borland