Positive Reflection by Kate H.

Illustration by: Elise Featley

For me, 2014 has been brilliant. I’ve gone from dead-end job to studying for a brilliant degree and being happier than ever. However, if you’d asked me in February or March how I felt about 2014, you would have got a very different answer. I was very unhappy and had no idea where I was going.

But that’s enough about me… I understand that for some of you this may have been the best year of your lives, and for others it may have been the complete opposite, but what I’d like to talk about is how to reflect back on 2014 in a positive way.

ONE

Positive reflection is about personal growth, and this begins in a positive environment. You need to have somewhere to reflect; whether you can confide in a friend and assist each other, or you prefer to reflect and meditate, or even fill out a personal journal.

TWO

When reflecting, think about how you phrase things, and the way in which you speak to yourself. For example, instead of asking “Why do I have no time to myself?” ask “How can I make more time for myself?” And if you start to really pay attention to the way you speak, then you can gradually change your attitude and become more positive.

THREE

We all feel stressed and down sometimes, whether it’s due to an upsetting life event or maybe we’re just hormonal. But we are the only ones who can make ourselves feel any better; we have to take control of our thoughts and feelings, which is completely possible. Have a look at Psychologist Julian Rotter’s thoughts and findings to do with Locus of Control, he found that those of us who have an internal Locus of Control are generally happier.  Having an internal Locus of Control means believing that you are in control of your own life, that you are driving the car and you can go to any destination, and even choose the route. If that’s your outlook, then you’re more likely to be a happier individual than if you’re relying on luck or fate. Besides, when we’ve worked hard to achieve something, we feel amazing when we achieve it, rather than getting something by chance, which lacks that feeling of accomplishment.

FOUR

Also, if you’d like to reflect on the year in a positive way, try writing a list of everything you’ve achieved and your favourite memories of 2014, then write a list of what you’d like to achieve in 2015 and beyond! It is good to reflect, and learn lessons from the past. However, it doesn’t benefit you to dwell on it. Although, the same could be said about the future; don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself then get down about not achieving them. The time you should be focusing on is the present!

FIVE

And that is what I would like to end with, the present. The present is the most important time, and you need to enjoy it. Reflection is all well and good, and definitely has its place, but don’t take it too seriously. You should be completely immersed in the present to appreciate life it the fullest possible way, don’t let thoughts of the past and future cloud your mind. Sometimes you need to concentrate only on your breathing. Try it! Next time you’re going for a walk or riding on the bus, just focus on your breathing and look around, you might notice things you’ve never seen before just because you’re fully aware of your surroundings!

Kate is a full-time student, studying Fashion, Media and Marketing. You can find her over on her blog "That Fashion Magpie" and on Twitter. Find more posts by Kate here...

Illustration by Elise Featley. You can follow her over on twitter.