On New Year’s Eve, I went to celebrate with my sister in the Netherlands. She spoiled us with an amazing spaghetti dish so delicious that not a single strand of pasta was left. And then came my all-time favorite snack—bitterballen! These are Dutch meatballs served with mustard sauce, and let me tell you, they are absolutely divine.

But there was one thing I hadn’t anticipated.

The overwhelming desire to sleep… before midnight.

Apparently, the Cinderella in me has officially left the building. I fell asleep at 11 p.m. sharp, completely unbothered by the fireworks exploding outside. My body was simply done—and I had a fantastic night’s sleep.

And just like that, 2025 arrived. A new year with new potential, new possibilities, and a blank slate waiting to be painted.

For some of us, the start of a new year brings excitement and energy—a time to build on the momentum of a great 2024.

But for others, 2024 may have been tough. Maybe it was a year of struggles, failures, or painful losses. A year that left you feeling like you’re carrying an emotional backpack filled with shame, guilt, or regret.

If this resonates, today’s edition is for you.

Let’s leave that emotional baggage behind and step into 2025 lighter, freer, and more aligned. I’ll guide you through reflecting on the past year with compassion, so you can release those heavy emotions and start fresh.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Why Reflection is the Key to Moving Forward

💡 Why This Matters:

Reflection is not about beating yourself up for mistakes or reliving painful memories. It’s about gaining awareness and insight, so you can grow. Shame, guilt, and regret can keep you stuck in the past, preventing you from embracing the opportunities of the present and future.

The truth is, real transformation doesn’t come from setting ambitious resolutions—it comes from creating small, meaningful shifts in your habits, thoughts, and feelings.

"The past is a place of reference, not residence. You can visit it to learn, but you don’t have to live there."

For years, I was quick to set lofty resolutions at the start of every new year.

“This will be the year I finally lose weight.”

“This will be the year I manifest my dream opportunities.”

“This will be the year I stick to the gym.”

But a few months in, I’d find myself falling back into the same old habits: binge eating, procrastinating, and avoiding exercise. The result? My “new year” ended up looking exactly like the last one.

That’s when I realized something critical:

You can’t change your external world without first transforming your internal world.

Reflection allows you to get curious about what worked and what didn’t—without judgment. It helps you identify the habits and beliefs that are holding you back, so you can let them go and replace them with something better.

This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about aligning your habits, thoughts, and actions with the version of yourself who has already achieved your goals.

When I stopped trying to change the outside world and started reflecting inward, everything shifted. I began examining my habits, beliefs, and emotions with compassion. It wasn’t always comfortable, but the sense of freedom and peace I gained was worth it.

Now, I want to help you do the same.

Let’s start with a simple, 3-step process for reflecting on 2024 and releasing any emotional baggage you don’t want to carry into 2025.

Center Yourself Before Reflecting

Before diving into the 3-step process to release shame, guilt, and regret, it’s important to ground yourself. Reflection can bring up uncomfortable emotions, so creating a space of calm and self-compassion will make the journey gentler and more effective.

This grounding exercise will help you quiet your mind, center your emotions, and approach the reflection process with clarity and intention.

A Simple Grounding Exercise:

1. Find a quiet place:

   Sit comfortably in a space where you won’t be distracted. You can sit on a chair, the floor, or even lie down if that feels better.

2. Take three deep breaths:

   • Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four.
   • Hold your breath for a count of four.
   • Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for a count of six.Repeat this three times, or as many times as you need to feel present and calm.

3. Activate your senses:

   • Close your eyes (if comfortable) and notice how your body feels.
   • Pay attention to the texture of your clothing, the weight of your body against the chair, the sounds or smells around you.
   • Let your awareness anchor you in the present moment, gently bringing you back whenever your mind starts to wander.

4. Set your intention for this practice:

   Take a moment to reflect on what you want to gain from this experience. You can silently or verbally repeat an intention to yourself:

   • “I approach this reflection with compassion and curiosity.”
   • “I allow myself to release the past and embrace the possibilities of a fresh start.”
   • “I give myself permission to feel, reflect, and grow.”

5. Release judgment:

   If thoughts or emotions arise during this practice, let them flow without resistance or judgment. Acknowledge their presence and gently guide your focus back to your breath.

A 3-Step Process for Releasing Shame, Guilt, and Regret

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to help you reflect and release emotional weight.

Step 1: Acknowledge Without Judgment

Begin by identifying areas where you feel shame, guilt, or regret about 2024.

Prompts to Get Started:

• What are the “should haves” or “could haves” I keep replaying in my mind?
• What emotions come up when I think about them?

💡 Key Reminder: Awareness is the first step to healing. You can’t release what you don’t acknowledge.

Step 2: Reframe and Reinterpret

Challenge the beliefs fueling your shame or regret.

Ask yourself:

• Is this feeling based on facts or self-judgment?
• What did I learn from this experience?
• How has this challenge shaped me for the better?

Transformative Exercise: Write a letter to your 2024 self, offering forgiveness, understanding, and compassion.

Step 3: Release and Replace

Let go of the emotional weight with a symbolic act.

Example: Write down your regrets on a piece of paper, then safely burn it or tear it up and throw it away.

Finally, replace those negative emotions with empowering affirmations.

Example Affirmation:

"I release the past with gratitude and embrace the future with hope."

What’s Inside the Premium Edition?

Ready to take your reflection and release process to the next level? Here’s what you’ll unlock in this week’s premium edition:

💡 Exclusive Tools & Exercises:

• The ABCDE Framework for reframing regret and rewriting your inner narrative.
• A step-by-step guide to writing an Emotional Release Letter that truly frees you from the past.
• Intention-Setting Prompts to help you create meaningful, actionable resolutions for 2025.
• Practical strategies for leaving emotional baggage behind and stepping into the new year with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

💡 Deep Emotional Healing:

Discover how to overcome the hidden emotional blocks that keep you stuck—and finally let them go.

💡 If you are already a premium subscriber, enjoy the rest of your reading!