Six ways to start the New Year with your spouse

The New Year is here. It is a time of year when individuals, couples, and families take time to look back at the year that just passed, and look forward to the coming months.

Here are six ways the couples can start the New Year together.

1. Recap this past year.

Knowing what you want out of the New Year becomes clearer when you recap the year that has passed. Talk about this past year together, focusing on all notable elements of the year.

What amazing things would you like to remember, and repeat, if possible? What did not work out? What do you want to leave behind, and what do you want to bring with you into the New Year?

2. Talk about the coming New Year

What are you anticipating about this New Year? Talk about it together. Share what you hope to learn this year, and what you hope to accomplish.

What are you both looking forward to, as individuals? What are you looking forward to as a couple? In what areas can you work together, and in what areas can you provide support and cheer each other on?

3. Share your dreams with one another

Dreaming is healthy. It brings us hope and happiness, and helps us believe that anything is possible. Fuel that positivity and optimism as you enter the New Year together. Do you have big dreams for the New Year? Share them with one another so you can be each other’s biggest cheerleader.

4. Set tangible and actionable goals

Setting New Year’s goals that are both tangible and actionable will help you each start taking steps to making the changes you want to make in your life. Whether you’re looking to break an old habit, create a new one, or accomplish something big this year, create goals–even smaller goals–that will carry you where you want to go. Then, share these goals with one another so you can help each other stay on track.

5. Let go of last year’s pain

It is not beneficial to hold onto pain from the past year. Where possible, let go of painful memories and hard feelings as you move into the New Year. Carrying pain with you will only drag you down and keep you from creating the year you’re dreaming of.

That said, there are some circumstances and situations that are not easy to leave behind. If you’re struggling with grief or circumstances beyond your control, it may be beneficial to seek professional counseling in order to get the support you need to thrive in the New Year.

6. Reprioritise for the New Year

Reflect together on your priorities from the past year. What did they look like? Do you want to keep your priorities the same, or do they need to shift in the New Year? Now is the best time to revisit your priorities and make adjustments where needed. If you and your spouse can do that together, even better.

Start the New Year off on the right foot.