Looking Back: Somatic Practices for Reflection
I recently celebrated a birthday, and it reminded me that some dates naturally invite us to pause.
Birthdays ask us to look back at who we were a year ago.
Anniversaries bring us face-to-face with past versions of ourselves that lived through milestones, challenges, or loss.
And of course, the New Year tends to stir up reflections about what we’ve accomplished and what’s ahead.
Looking Back with Fresh Eyes
Reflection isn’t just about counting happy memories or tallying up the places where we “fell short.”
It can be a way to honor where we’ve been in ways that actually matter to us, not just the ways society says we should measure growth.
Both Expansion and Struggle Belong
Sometimes, looking back shows us clear signs of growth—maybe new skills, healthier habits, or simply making it through a difficult season.
Other times, reflection stirs up feelings of weariness, stuckness, or even the sense that we’ve slipped backward.
Both experiences are valid.
The point isn’t to judge. It’s to cultivate awareness, honor the truth of this moment, and consider where we’d like to move from here.
Gratitude for Every Version of You
Every past version of you carried something essential that helped you survive.
Even if life feels heavy right now, you can still honor that by thanking your past selves for carrying you this far, and thanking your current self for showing up in the best way it can, right here and now.
Embodied Ways to Look Back
Our bodies hold stories and wisdom from every chapter of our lives.
These gentle practices can help you connect to gratitude and compassion for those chapters in ways that go beyond words.
1. The Embodied Timeline
Let your body respond intuitively—maybe a posture, a breath, or a small gesture that captures how you felt back then.
As you pause, notice what challenges, celebrations, or emotions were present. How did your body hold those experiences then? And how does it remember them now?
Along the way, bring to mind the resources you leaned on: people, practices, creativity, rest. Take a moment to celebrate those supports.
When you reach the present, pause to notice how your body feels today, and find a movement to express that.
Variation: Instead of walking, create a timeline on paper, using art or words to express the moments that shaped you.
2. Meeting a Younger Version of You
Bring to mind a younger version of yourself — maybe from a few months ago, maybe many years.
Notice what sensations arise in your body as you “see” this past you.
If it feels supportive, offer a gesture of comfort—a hand on your heart, or arms wrapped around yourself in a hug.
Observe any differences between that version of you and who you are today: posture, feelings, beliefs, sensations. Try to let go of judgment and just notice.
End by thanking that past self for doing their best to care for you then. And thank your present self for carrying you now.
Variation: Write a letter to this past self or create art for them. Let your words or images express gratitude, compassion, or whatever message they most need to hear.
Honoring What’s True Right Now
Reflection isn’t about checking boxes of achievement or feeling shame for not “progressing” fast enough. It’s about pausing to ask: What’s true for me right now? What have I made it through to arrive here?
Whether your journey has felt joyful or defeating, expansive or contracting, you are here. And that, in itself, is worth honoring.
With Care,
Lindsay
If you’d like to deepen your connection with your body and dive deeper into guided somatic work, I’d love to support you. I offer somatic coaching designed to help you reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom, helping you alleviate stress, anxiety, and overwhelm so you can experience more ease and presence in your daily life. If you feel called, you’re welcome to schedule a free discovery call. I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Remember: This post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.