It’s the end of 2022 and it’s time to reflect on the past year. Before you sit down and begin writing goals you want to accomplish in the coming year, let’s sit down for a few minutes of reflection.

It’s almost the beginning of a new year. With each new year, many people sit down and write down goals and things they would like to accomplish in the coming year. Many also create Bucket Lists–“a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish” (dictionary.com) during the year or their lifetime.

Last year, I heard the concept of writing a reverse bucket list for the first time while listening to a podcast by Michelle Gifford, one of my mentors (Podcast: Business Mom School by Michelle Gifford, Episode “How to Create a Reverse Bucket List“–it’s right between Episodes #154 and #155). I loved the idea and sat down and began listing all that I had learned and the things I had accomplished in the previous year. It was refreshing to reflect on personal growth in all areas of my life.

I listed personal accomplishments in my spiritual life, my intellectual life, my physical life, and my social life. I included places I had traveled with my family, people I had met, things I had read, and so much more.

Sadly, I’m not much of a daily journal writer but I treasure this reverse bucket list that sums up my previous year. It was a wonderful experience. Here are few tips and tricks to start your own 2022 Reflection Journal or Reverse Bucket List. (Here is the updated 2023 Reflection Journal or Reverse Bucket List)

6 Tips to Start a Reflection Journal or Reverse Bucket List

1. Grab your favorite pen and journal (or print out this Reflection Journal) to write your reverse bucket list.
2. Have your 2022 calendar close by to help you remember specific events from 2022.
3. Start with a prayer to ask Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost to “bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).
4. Begin writing everything that comes to mind. You can use the Reflection Journal to sort your accomplishments by category: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, or Social.
5. Once you have everything you can remember easily, look at your calendar to bring other events and accomplishments to mind.
6. Leave your Reflection Journal out for a few days–more ideas will come and take a minute to write them down.