I’m learning how looking back helps me to move forward.

The past is not a place for us to stay, but something for us to learn from and move on.

To look back and move forward takes time and courage and trust.

But it’s worth it.

Maybe like you, I am good at quickly moving from one thing to the next without pausing to be grateful for the change and challenges that came along the way.

3, 2, 1 the ball drops, we clink glasses, the new year arrives, and I am done with what was without ever giving it a moment of reflection.

But what if we paused for a second to reflect on where we once were to where we now are?

What will we find?

What will we learn?

There are things I need to sit with either to celebrate them or lay them to rest.

There are moments I need to hold, either to lift up or put down.

There are dreams and fears and goals and relationships I need to look back and reflect upon before moving forward.

Because I am moving forward.

And so are you. 

When you find yourself at the end
look back
give thanks
and begin again.

A few questions I’m asking myself as the year comes to a close:

What did you learn in 2023? 


What prayers were answered this past year? 


What brought you joy?


Who do you need to thank for helping you make it through this year?


What is a memory from this past year that you’ll be holding onto forever?


Where did you see the faithfulness of God in your life?


What did you learn about yourself this year?


What are you leaving behind in 2023?


What are you taking with you into 2024?

Looking to share these questions (and more) with a group?
Click the button and print them off!

Go Deeper. 

Grab Your Phone
Scroll through the photos on your phone. Go down memory lane. Favorite the ones you want to remember. Delete what needs to be deleted. If you didn’t take a lot of photos this year, flip back through your calendar.

Q: What are you most proud of from this past year? 

Q: What habits/practices/rhythms were helpful to you over the last 365 days?

When I look back
I can see
how season after season
slowly grew me to be
the person I have become
and when I look ahead
I am beginning to see
I am far from done. 

Q: When did you feel the best/worst (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) this year?
What contributed to that?

Q: Where did you feel at home?

Q: What did you endure this year?

Q: This year, where have you seen the faithfulness of God in your life?

Q: What did you learn about yourself this year?

Q: Who do you need to thank for helping you make it through this year?
Make sure to create time to text or call to thank them for being there for you.

Q: As you head into the new year, what are you leaving behind?

I know I won’t grow
if i don’t open up my hands
and let go

Finish the Sentence …

This year I learned . . .

This year I needed to remind myself that . . .

This year God . . . 

This year changed how . . .

When I look back on this year I’ll never forget … 

Happy New Year,

Tanner Olson

PS

Click the button below to check out 12 Words for 2024. An exercise that allows you to pick one word for every month, rather than one word for the entire year!

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.