Introduction
As moms, especially those managing bipolar disorder, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t go right. The pressure to “do it all” and be the perfect parent can leave us feeling like we’re falling short. But the truth is, you’ve made it through another year—you’ve grown, you’ve adapted, and you’ve shown up for your family and yourself, even when it was hard.
Reflection isn’t about judgment; it’s about celebrating your progress, learning from challenges, and stepping into the new year with clarity and intention. Today, I’ll walk you through a simple, gentle reflection exercise to honor how far you’ve come.
Why Reflecting on the Past Year Matters
Reflection gives you perspective and allows you to:
- Celebrate Your Wins: Big or small, every step forward matters.
- Learn from Challenges: Understand what didn’t work and why, so you can adjust.
- Gain Clarity for the Future: Identify what you value most and what you want to carry into the new year.
For moms with bipolar disorder, this practice can help you let go of guilt and build a foundation of self-compassion and hope.
Step 1: Acknowledge Your Wins
Start by identifying moments of success, joy, or growth from the past year. No win is too small to celebrate—what matters is that you showed up and kept going.
Reflection Prompts:
- What’s one thing I did this year that I’m proud of?
- What small victories did I achieve for my mental health (e.g., sticking to routines, prioritizing self-care, attending therapy)?
- How did I show up for my kids or loved ones in a way that mattered?
Examples:
- “I took my kids to the park regularly, even on days I felt low.”
- “I started tracking my moods and found patterns that helped me plan better days.”
Why It Works:
Focusing on your wins builds confidence, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment—key for starting the new year on a positive note.
Step 2: Reflect on Challenges (Without Judgment)
Challenges are part of life, but they don’t define you. Instead of seeing them as failures, view them as lessons. Ask yourself what you can learn and how you can use that knowledge to move forward.
Reflection Prompts:
- What challenges did I face this year, and how did I handle them?
- What did these challenges teach me about myself, my needs, or my boundaries?
- How can I approach similar situations differently in the future?
Examples:
- “I struggled with setting boundaries during family gatherings, so next time I’ll plan my limits in advance.”
- “I overcommitted when I was in a manic phase, but now I understand the importance of pacing myself.”
Why It Works:
By reflecting with compassion, you shift your focus from guilt to growth and empower yourself to make healthier choices moving forward.
Step 3: Identify Your Strengths and Values
Take a moment to recognize the strengths you showed this year and the values you want to carry into the new year.
Reflection Prompts:
- What strengths helped me get through the tough days (e.g., resilience, creativity, problem-solving)?
- What values matter most to me as a mom (e.g., connection, patience, stability)?
- How can I lean into these strengths and values to create a life that feels balanced and fulfilling?
Examples:
- “I value connection with my kids, so I’ll prioritize quality time over perfection.”
- “Resilience got me through this year, and I’ll keep reminding myself of that when things get hard.”
Why It Works:
Recognizing your strengths helps you build on them, while identifying your values brings clarity to what truly matters in the new year.
The Benefits of Reflecting on the Year
- For Your Mental Health:
- You release guilt and focus on growth, building self-compassion and confidence.
- Reflection helps you identify what supports your stability and what doesn’t.
- For Your Family:
- You model self-awareness and resilience for your kids.
- Your reflections guide healthier habits and stronger connections in the new year.
- For Your Future:
- You step into the new year with clarity, intention, and a sense of accomplishment.
How the Bipolar Balance & Bonds App Can Help
The Bipolar Balance & Bonds app makes reflection simple and actionable with tools like:
- Guided Journaling Prompts: Thoughtful questions to help you reflect on your wins, challenges, and values.
- Mood Tracking: Use insights from the past year to plan routines and strategies for the year ahead.
- Goal-Setting Tools: Turn your reflections into small, achievable steps for growth in the new year.
Closing
You’ve accomplished so much this year, even if it didn’t always feel that way. By taking time to reflect with compassion, you can celebrate your progress, learn from challenges, and create a roadmap for the life you want to build in the new year.
CTA: Ready to reflect on your year and step into 2024 with clarity and confidence? Download the Bipolar Balance & Bonds app today on Google Play, the App Store, or online at bipolar-balance-and-bonds.passion.io. Let’s make this your year of growth and balance.
