Ever since I was a child I looked forward to the end of the year.
	My family in Puerto Rico welcomed  the New Year with rituals such as: eating 12 grapes at midnight (one for every clock chime- one for every month of the year) or throwing water out of the front door to clean the house and welcome the new year.

My grandmother used to make small yellow bows out of thin ribbon and pin them to our shirts/dresses. They symbolized health and good wishes for the new year!

When I lived in Ecuador I marveled at their traditions-- making an “old year” puppet mocking a political figure or a public figure and then burning it at midnight. My favorite tradition was folding a dollar bill flat, tying it into a knot and placing it in the wallet (you can’t use it) in order to have money during the new year. 

We all have our rituals whether it is to reflect about the past year, set resolutions for the new year or leaving it up to chance! Whatever route you take-- don’t forget to focus and be grateful for your achievements, the small victories, and the experiences learned in 2021.

We all know that the 'end of the year' brings an opportunity to start anew... to write on a clean slate.

How do we prepare to write on that clean slate? You can start by thinking about one or two of the following questions.

• What successes are you celebrating? (insights, accomplishments, learnings)
• What challenges or disappointments helped you grow in 2021?
• What was the biggest discovery about yourself this year?
• What are you most grateful for in 2021?
• What change will you invite for 2022?
• What do you need to leave behind or let go of in 2022?
• What boundaries must you establish so that you find balance and fulfillment in 2022?

However you choose to celebrate this New Year’s Eve, create room for a 2022 filled with wonder, growth and plenty of opportunities to celebrate achievements!

Best to you and your families.

Ana Isabel Sánchez