2. Pen to Paper: Gratitude journaling

The next step in our new year ritual involves you, a pen and your journal. It’s time for gratitude journaling. While some roll their eyes at gratitude, it’s a powerful tool and you’ll soon see why. Gratitude journaling isn't just about listing things; it's about unlocking your future potential. By expressing thanks for even the smallest joys of 2023, you're creating a positive mindset.

Here are 3 great gratitude journaling prompts to get you started:

• Think about a small act of kindness/small moment of joy you experienced, performed, or witnessed. How did it make you feel? where else have you/can you find kindness in your own life?
• Think about a difficult situation you faced in the past year. What strengths or coping mechanisms did you discover within yourself that you can appreciate now? And what lessons can you take away from that experience?
• Consider someone you know/knew/met last year who might not be aware of the positive impact they've had on your life. Whether your experience with them was positive or negative, who was someone who changed your life for the better in 2023? Take a moment to express your gratitude for their presence.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to do hundreds of gratitude entries, just pick one or two of these gratitude journaling prompts before you move on to the next journaling activity. It’s time to envision your dream life in vivid detail.

Write a journal entry on what your dream life looks like in 2024. What would it look/feel like to be achieving all your goals? What made you happiest last year, and how can you amplify those feelings? It's about setting the stage for the life you crave!

3. GOAL GETTER!!!

Let's talk goals – the S.M.A.R.T. kind. This acronym stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Why? Because vague goals are like trying to hit a target blindfolded. Make them your roadmap to success, and don't forget the 'why.' Your ‘why?’ will help motivate you as the year progresses and if tough times hit.

Something people won’t tell you enough is… Goals. Are. Hard! And so having a powerful reasoning behind it will help to motivate you even when you lose track. Remember, your goals should resonate with who you are and who you want to become, making them a source of motivation, not stress.

4. Time to take Inventory

Numbers are more than just digits; they're allies in your journey. Analyze key numbers related to your goals – income, savings, daily steps, how many times a week you do something, how long you can do something, etc.

Recording these figures is your compass, helping you track the progress and changes along the way. This also will help us quantify and qualify our goals. We need to know where we are starting on order to know how to get to where we want to be. Trust me; this numerical approach will keep you on the path to success.

we're talking about scrubbing those bathroom tiles, diving into that junk drawer (we all have one), almost everything in the house, clearing out the weeds and dusting off the cobwebs. Why? Because a clean space isn't just about aesthetics; it's about wiping the slate clean from lingering 2023 energies. Especially in our home where we spend a large portion of our time.

7. Change the energy of your house: Embrace your witchy side

Time to tap into your magic, my friend! There are many fun and exciting ways to change the energy of your house (keep reading). But what does this mean and why is it important?

Well, just as energy flows through us, the environment and pretty much everything, it also flows through your house. Energies coming in and out from people coming and going, its main residents (you) as well as across the breeze. Some energies can get stuck in certain places, or the energy cannot flow easily in an out of the home.

Whatever the reason, our house will usually collect some residual energies overtime. As the new year commences and you are manifesting and inspiring greater things, these need to be cleared, cleansed and changed up. This will align the energy to assist you in releasing the experiences of the previous year while also providing a new environment where your new goals can flourish.

So how can you shift the energy of the home?

There are a deferent few ways you can do this:

• Feng shui. This is the art of arranging homes and interiors with charted and calculated energy flows. Now, I don’t expect you to become a fengshui master overnight (it’s a very fun and enlightening topic to read about though!) But a good thing to try is moving some furniture round in wherever you spend the most time in the house. Think of a layout that gets good flow, lets plenty of light in or helps your eye trail with curiosity around the room.
• Cleansing your house is a great way to change the energy of the house. Now, don’t think of this as chasing a ghost away (unless you do, of course, have a ghost). But more like clearing the atmosphere of any residual negative emotions and experiences. Kind of like when you clear the fridge of moldy food and it still smells for a bit after (gross, sorry for putting that in your brain!) To do cleanse your house you can use fantastic tools such as sage, Palo Santo and incense. With the windows and doors open (to allow the bad Juju to exit the house) start smoking up the house. When cleansing your house, it is a good practice to repeat a chant or affirmation to help clear and cleanse the energies as you do this, either out loud or in your head. It could go something like “I thank you for your shelter and protection in 2023. I release you of all old or negative energies that no longer serve me. I cleanse you of any energies that no longer align with my highest self.” (my mum preferred “Out! Bad spirits, out!” but whatever floats your boat.)
• Reorganization station! I’m a sucker for re-organizations so I add this one every year. Pick something to re-organize. Anywhere from the pantry, your wardrobe, the study or the garage. Take your pick! I usually like to pick an area that I know the current system isn’t working or have wanted to change around for a while. Or maybe you want to challenge yourself to re-organize a system that does work well to see if you can improve it even more!
• If you’re well practiced with cleansing magic, spells and rituals, you could do one of those as well (probably a protection spell too while you’re at it) But you can read more about them another time…

8. Vision Vibes:

Let's get creative! Create a tangible reminder of your goals – a vision board, a resonant crystal, your phone background, a poster on your wall or any item that sparks inspiration. This isn't just about visuals; it's about creating a physical daily reminder that fuels your passion and keeps you focused on your dreams.

Here at Sticks and Stones we love using our crystals with goal work. Whether you believe in them or not, using a gemstone that aligns with your goals and ambitions is one of the best physical reminders of what you’re here to attract. Crystals are also very versatile - they are great to wear as jewelry every day, so that every time you see and touch it you are reminded of your goals. They are also nice and personal, only holding a very special meaning for YOU!

And, so what, if it does have a little bit of crystal magic inside it pulling in good vibes for your cause… what’s the harm in that?

9. Mantra Magic:

Crafting powerful affirmations isn't just about words; it's about rewiring your mindset. Mantras and affirmations can be derived from your past, your present and your future. Dive into the essence of your goals, the “why?”, challenge those limiting beliefs you uncovered earlier in your journaling and breathwork session, what statement/s encapsulate that core belief at its heart and what’s the opposite.

If you need some more help on this, visit our easy guide to How to create Affirmations and Matras that motivate the heck out of you! Here.

Now, repeat your affirmations like spells throughout the year, put them anywhere you like. It's a subtle but potent way to program your subconscious for success throughout the year.

Wow looks like January is going to be a very productive (and successful) month for you!

We hope you make the time to do as many of these new years rituals as you can by the end of the month! As you dive into these 10 steps for a prosperous new year, remember – you're not just setting goals: you're unlocking the magic within. And don’t forget to get your new 2024 crystal buddy to help you along the way.

If you need help picking what crystal to get to make the most of this abundant 2024 energy, check out our latest article here! We go through the best crystals for 2024.

You may also want to be more goal specific and use our Free “Choosing the right crystals for You!” workbook, which will point you in the right direction for the perfect crystal to align with your goals.

Connect your aspirations, stay committed to your dreams, and brace yourself for a year filled with growth, achievement, and a sprinkle of pure magic! Here's to making 2024 absolutely unforgettable!