On January 1st of every year, Nick and I have a ritual that we do. We get up and watch the sunrise, as witnessing the first sunrise of the year feels like a really good omen to us. Then, for the rest of the day we reflect on the past year, we celebrate our achievements and what we learned. We then get crystal clear on what we want to manifest and achieve for the year to come.

When goal setting it’s very easy to skip over the reflection side of things, but reflection is a super-important piece of the puzzle because it allows us to re-align, tune in and ponder on our truth. So, before we zoom ahead to setting heart-centered goals and manifesting for the future, it’s imperative to begin by looking back on 2020. It’s all too easy to want to sprint through to the end of the year without stopping and taking a moment to acknowledge the year that’s been, all that you have achieved, and all the growth that’s taken place. I know this year has been big for many people, this is why reflecting on the growth and your achievements no matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ is super important.

So, my sweet friend — boil the kettle, whip out your journal, diffuse some oils, or lay on your favorite rug outside in mother nature and answer these questions with an open wide heart, mind and soul, because we’re about to celebrate the year that’s just been…

2020 WRAP UP

REFLECT

• During the more challenging times in 2020, how did you show up? Are you happy with how you showed up or could you have shown up differently?
• Did you step outside your comfort zone? If yes, when? How did that make you feel? What did you learn during the process?
• Did you love with your whole heart? If not, how come?
• Were you fully present? If not, why not? Where could you have been more present?
• Were you kind? Could you have been kinder?
• How much did you love? Could you have loved more?
• How did you serve overs? Could you have served more?
• Where did any old limiting Mean Girl fears or beliefs pop up?
• What do you want to let go of? For example, an old limiting belief, a job, a relationship, a situation, a pattern, a painful memory, resentment, hurt or a behaviour you are still holding onto?
• What would you like to stop doing from 2020?

CELEBRATE

• What did you birth / create in 2020?
• What were the 3 best things that happened in 2020?
• What have you achieved or what are you most proud of?
• What are the 3 biggest things you have learned / remember?
• What have been your top 3 biggest realisations / lessons?
• How have you grown?
• Describe 2019 in 3 words
• What are you most grateful for in 2020?

You still with me? Great!

Now that we have reflected on the year that’s passed, it’s time to ponder the year ahead. Before we do that, it’s super important to do a little ceremony to clean the slate and lay a fresh foundation for your dreams to manifest. You can do that by performing a sage cleansing ritual around yourself, home and office. I highly recommend doing this at least once a year to clear the stagnant energy.

Remember, you have the ability to manifest and create whatever your heart desires in the new year and any time… but it ain’t going to happen by just sitting back and wishing it to manifest! You gotta take inspired action daily, beautiful!

It’s now time to let go of the past and ponder on the future. Close your eyes for a moment and think about the year to come. Once you have pondered for a few minutes, open your eyes and answer the below questions. You could even do one of my Mastering Your Mean Girl Meditations to help you get in the zone.

SET UP 2021

CREATE

It’s super important that when you are setting goals that they tick the following criteria…

• They must be heart-centered.
• They must inspire you and give you goosebumps.
• They must be true for you and not something you think you ‘should’ do or achieve due to someone else’s agenda.
• You must use inspiring dialogue, ‘lose weight’ is not as inspiring as ‘wake up feeling healthy, strong and vital’. Same with ‘quit sugar’. Try something like, ‘treat my body like the temple it is, and only nourish it with the highest vibrational food mother nature has to offer’.
• They must make your heart sing. If your goals don’t give you butterflies and excite the bejesus out of you, then create a different goal. 
• They mustn’t overwhelm and stress you out.
• You must use crystal clear language and be super specific. ‘Find happiness’, or ‘find my soulmate’ are not specific enough. Try something like, ‘to remember that I am love and to feel that within myself daily’. Or ‘to wake up feeling inner happiness and peace daily’.

[Please note that if fear pops up and you get nervous in your tummy when setting your goals, this is a good sign. It means you’re on the right path.]

Ok, keeping the above in mind let’s set your 2021 goals.

• What are 5 words to best describe how you want to feel in 2021? For example: strong, connected, vital, balanced, calm, present, healthy, bursting with love, grounded, expansive, focused, glow-y, abundant etc.
• What are 1-3 health goals you would like to achieve?
• What are 1-3 career goals you would like to achieve?
• What are 1-3 financial goals you would like to achieve?
• What are 1-3 self-love goals you would like to achieve?
• What are 1-3 relationship goals you would like to achieve?
• Do you want to travel this year? If yes, where do you want to go? Be as specific as possible. For example, I would love to try 3 different camping spots X, Y and Z this year In February, June and November. 
• What are 2-3 hobbies that you would like to explore and make more time for in 2021?
• What will you commit to not doing in 2021?
• What will you make more time for?
• How do you want to do things differently in 2021?
• Create your 2021 Self Love Menu. Get your FREE Self Love Menu here.  Stick this on your fridge and do one thing from your Self Love Menu each day.
• What does your ideal morning routine look like? Be as specific as possible.
• What does your ideal day look like?
• What does your self-loving nighttime ritual look like?
• How can you give more to yourself next year? What would that look like specifically?
• What is one word you want to describe 2021?
• Now close your eyes and think about 2021. See it, feel it, experience it like it’s already happened. Use your imagination and let it play out. See yourself living your best life, achieving your heart’s desires and manifesting your dreams. What does that feel like? Who is around you? Take 10 more minutes or so to really allow yourself to future-trip here. Smile as you see yourself kicking goals, being surrounded by loved ones, and achieving what it is that you want. High five yourself in your mind, and when you have finished your visualisation, move on to the next step…

CREATE YOUR 2021 AFFIRMATIONS

This is where you come up with 3 powerful statements that you will write out and stick around your house and office so that you can see them when times feel challenging and hard.

For example…

• Everything is unfolding exactly the way it’s supposed to.
• This too shall pass.
• I create my own reality; if I don’t like what I have created I can create again.
• I am the one in the driver’s seat, I am responsible for my life and happiness.
• I am responsible for creating my happiness and joy.

LETTER TO YOUR FUTURE SELF

Zoom ahead to December 31st 2021 and write a letter to yourself about all that has happened in 2021 and all that you have achieved. Start it off with something like this…

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Dear Melissa,

WOW!!! 2021 has been an epic and the most expansive heart opening year ever! You felt so empowered as you birthed your beautiful angel into the world and you transitioned into the role of mother so effortless. 

Your 4th book was also released with a bang and became a #1 New York Times Best Sellers, which means you have reached your goal of inspiring hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Well done, sista! Etc etc…

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This is not to be rushed so please take your time with this. Once you have finished pop it in an envelope, seal it, write your name on it and put it somewhere you won’t lose it. Nick and I do this every year and love reading what we wrote to each other on the 1st of January. It’s so insightful, heartwarming and actually quite mind-blowing!

Most importantly, have fun with this whole exercise because if it ain’t fun it ain’t worth it.