Karina Jaskova is a Nature-Based Therapist, Certified Clinical and Health Psychologist, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy specialist with over a decade of experience. She is the co-founder of the Society of Nature-Based Therapy Latvia and the heart behind the platform Whisper of the Earth.
The year’s closing is a potent time for reflection, a moment to pause and consider the journey through the seasons and the growth that has accompanied each. This nature-based reflection practice is designed to help you connect deeply with the lessons of the natural world and your evolution over the years.
Setting the scene
Whether you wrap up warmly to venture outside or craft a comforting nook indoors, the aim is to create an environment that resonates with the quietude and introspection of the season.
Outdoors
If you're inclined to connect directly with the crisp beauty of winter, select an outdoor setting that holds special meaning for you. This could be a serene corner of a park, a quiet garden, or any natural space that invites contemplation. Dress warmly in layers to keep comfortable, and consider bringing a thermos of warm tea or coffee to enhance the experience with warmth from the inside out.
Indoors
For those who prefer the warmth of indoors, create a peaceful sanctuary within your home that brings elements of nature to you. Arrange a space by a window where you can gaze out at the winter landscape or gather natural items like plants, stones, or branches to bring the essence of the outdoors in. Soft lighting, perhaps from candles, and a warm blanket can add to the ambiance of your reflective retreat.
Four seasons nature collection
Throughout the year, you might have collected items from nature that resonate with personal significance or symbolize various moments and lessons experienced across the seasons. As you prepare your reflection space, lovingly arrange these natural keepsakes around you. If the outdoors has gifted you with leaves, stones, shells, or any other emblematic tokens, let them serve as anchors to the memories and insights they represent.
For those who may not have physical items from nature or to complement the ones you do, incorporating photographs and journal entries from the past year can immensely enrich your reflective practice. Photographs that capture the changing seasons, significant events, or simply moments of beauty can visually transport you through the year's journey, evoking memories and emotions tied to those times. Similarly, journal entries and snapshots of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences offer a deeply personal narrative of your growth and challenges. Reviewing your written words can provide profound insights into your evolution and the cycles of change mirrored in the natural world.
Arrange these photographs and journal entries alongside your natural keepsakes, or create a dedicated display that chronicles your year. Placing memorable moments or lessons on pieces of paper in a bowl or arranging them thoughtfully around your space can also serve as tangible reminders of the journey you’ve navigated.
This ensemble of natural items, photographs, and journal excerpts creates a rich tapestry of your year’s story, providing a multi-sensory backdrop for your end-of-year reflection. It’s a celebration of where you’ve been, the growth you’ve nurtured, and a preparation for the renewal that lies ahead with the coming spring.
Reflection practice
Grounding and centering
Start by engaging in a grounding exercise. Take slow, intentional breaths, acknowledging the support of the earth beneath you or the solidity of the floor indoors. Visualize roots extending from your feet, reaching deep into the ground (or penetrating the floor), forging a deep bond with the earth. Allow this grounding imagery to bring a sense of balance and focus to your being. Once you feel grounded and centered, with a sense of stability and presence, you're ready to embark on the journey of reflecting upon the seasons. Let the calm and focused state you've cultivated be the foundation from which you explore the cycles of the year: spring’s renewal, summer’s vibrancy, autumn’s transformation, and winter’s introspection. Carry this mindfulness into your reflections, allowing the connection you've established with the earth to guide your thoughts and insights.
Reflecting on each season
Spring represents renewal and growth, a time when nature awakens from its winter slumber, dressing the world in vibrant colors and fresh energy. Often seen as the start of a new year in many cultures, spring reminds us of life’s cycles and the opportunities for new beginnings they bring. It’s the perfect season to plant both literal and metaphorical seeds, intentions, and goals we hope to nurture throughout the year.
Reflect on the intentions you set at the start of the year. What “seeds” of change did you plant, and how did they begin to sprout and grow? What themes of growth and renewal shaped this season for you?
Summer bursts forth as a vibrant celebration of abundance, vitality, and flourishing life. With long, sun-drenched days and short, warm nights, it symbolizes nature at its peak, a time when the seeds planted in spring reach full bloom. Summer invites us to embrace joy, exploration, and adventure, encouraging us to savor life’s light and warmth.
Reflect on this season of energy and expansion. How did you embody the vibrancy of summer in your activities, relationships, and personal projects? What did this season teach you about the care and attention required to bring your aspirations to fruition?
Autumn invites us to embrace change, harvest the fruits of our efforts, and prepare for the quieter, more reflective months of winter. It is a season of gratitude and letting go. Just as trees shed their leaves, it teaches us to release what no longer serves us and create space for new growth.
Consider the harvest of your year, the successes, challenges, and lessons gathered along the way. What were you ready to let go of, and how did releasing certain aspects of your life create space for transformation and renewal?
Winter invites us into stillness and introspection, with crisp air and shorter days encouraging us to slow down and reflect on the year’s journey. It’s a time for nourishing our inner worlds, cultivating resilience, and realigning with our values and aspirations as we prepare for the renewal of spring. Winter reminds us of the importance of rest and clarity, fostering inner peace amidst the quiet.
Reflect on the moments of stillness this season provides. How did the quiet of winter help you integrate the lessons of the year? What insights or inner wisdom emerged during this time of reflection?
Overall insights
As you pause to reflect on the past year, take a gentle look at your journey, the moments that shaped you, the challenges you faced, and the growth you experienced. Think about the patterns and themes that emerged and celebrate the progress you’ve made, no matter how big or small.
Consider how your relationship with nature supported you along the way. Were there moments outdoors that brought you clarity, comfort, or inspiration? How did the changing seasons mirror your own cycles of growth, rest, and renewal?
Now, let’s explore the different areas of your life with curiosity and kindness, focusing on what felt meaningful and fulfilling:
Physical well-being. How did you care for your body this year? What habits made you feel energized, strong, or balanced?
Emotional health. What emotions stood out along your journey? How did you make space to process your feelings?
Intellectual growth. Were there moments when you felt curious, inspired, or eager to learn? What ideas or discoveries sparked your imagination?
Behavioral patterns. Which habits and routines supported your well-being? Are there any patterns you feel ready to shift or embrace more fully?
Spiritual connection. What experiences this year made you feel a sense of meaning or connection to something greater than yourself? Were there moments in nature, stillness, or reflection that filled you with awe, gratitude, or wonder? How did these experiences shape your sense of purpose and guide you toward what truly matters?
Social relationships. How did your connections with others add meaning to your life? What relationships felt especially supportive or joyful?
Occupational and financial well-being. In what ways did your work and finances reflect your values? Where did you feel proud of your efforts, and what possibilities excite you moving forward?
Environmental awareness. How did you engage with nature this year? What practices made you feel more connected to the Earth, and what new steps might you explore?
As you reflect, honor the progress you’ve made, not just in what you accomplished but in how you showed up for yourself and others. Growth isn’t always loud; it’s often found in quiet moments, small shifts, and the courage to keep moving forward.
What lessons and insights will you carry into the coming year? How might nature continue to inspire, support, and ground you as you step into this next chapter?
Concluding ceremony and renewal
As you conclude your year of reflection and connection with the cycles of nature, take a moment for a closing ritual that honors the journey and the wisdom gained from the natural world. This ceremony is a heartfelt acknowledgment of gratitude and an embrace of the journey ahead.
Gratitude offering
Show your appreciation for the natural world's boundless wisdom and constant support across the seasons. If you've collected natural items that symbolize specific moments or lessons throughout your journey, consider returning them to the earth. This gesture of giving back acts as a profound symbol of gratitude and participation in the cycle of giving and receiving. Alternatively, you can express your thanks by feeding birds with appropriate food, cleaning up trash in your neighborhood, or assisting someone in need, remembering that humanity is also an integral part of nature.
Ritual of renewal
Embrace the transition to the new year with a gesture of renewal that resonates with you. This could be:
Planting new seeds
Literally or metaphorically, plant seeds for the intentions or goals you wish to nurture in the coming year. This act symbolizes the potential for growth and the beginnings that new cycles bring.
Lighting a candle
Illuminate a candle to represent the light of awareness, hope, and guidance as you step into the new year. Let this light be a reminder of the inner warmth and clarity you carry within.
Sunrise or sunset ceremony
Mark the transition into the new year by witnessing a sunrise or sunset. This natural spectacle can serve as a powerful moment to reflect on the passing of time and the cyclical nature of life. During the ceremony, offer your intentions and gratitude to the sun, as it symbolizes the constant presence and change that frames our existence.
Reflective nature collage
Gather magazines, old photos, and any natural items you can find (leaves, petals, twigs). Create a collage that represents your reflections on the past year and your hopes for the new one. Incorporate elements from nature to symbolize growth, transformation, and the beauty of change. Place your collage somewhere; you will see it daily as a reminder of your connection to nature and your evolution.
Constellation-mapping meditation
On a clear night, take a moment to observe the stars, choosing a constellation that resonates with you. Sketch or map it out, assigning each star a specific intention or goal for the new year. This practice connects your aspirations to the timeless patterns in the sky, reminding you of the larger universe's support in your journey.
This closing ritual is not just an end but a bridge to the next chapter of your journey. It's a moment to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with a spirit of renewal and possibility.
Nature teaches us that every season has its purpose, moments of growth, times to rest, and space to let go and begin again. May this practice inspire you to embrace those cycles in your own life, carrying forward the lessons, wisdom, and gratitude you’ve gathered this year. Let this be the start of a more intentional, nature-connected journey.
This End-of-Year Nature-Based Reflection Practice is part of The Aligned with Nature planner - a guide to help you deepen your connection with nature and create meaningful rhythms in your daily life. This undated planner serves as your steadfast companion throughout the year, guiding you to synchronize with Earth’s cycles while enhancing your personal well-being and connection to the natural world.
Key features include:
Seasonal practices to help you align your mindset and lifestyle with nature’s rhythms.
Motivation and safety tips to keep you inspired and prepared as you spend time outdoors.
Seasonal meditations and nature connection ideas to seamlessly fit into your schedule.
Weekly layouts to plan and track nature-focused activities, keeping you connected all year long.
Nature journaling spaces for reflections, discoveries, and insights.
Seasonal reflections and creative spaces for personal musings and expressions.
An End-of-Year Reflection Practice to help you review your growth and set intentions for the year ahead.
The Aligned with Nature planner invites you to explore the rhythms of the earth, nurture your personal growth, and live more intentionally with nature as your guide. Available in Digital, Printable, and Paperback versions on Whisper of the Earth and Amazon.
If you’re feeling inspired to deepen your connection with nature or curious about nature-based therapy practices, there’s more to discover. My articles “Why Reconnecting With Nature Is Key To Our Health And Environmental Well-Being” and “A Beginner’s Guide to Nature-Based Therapy Activities” are filled with practical tips and science-backed insights. They’re perfect for anyone ready to feel more grounded, tap into nature’s healing potential, and reflect on their relationship with the Earth. Let this be the year you nurture a more meaningful bond with nature and take steps toward caring for our shared home.
Read more from Karina Jaskova
Karina Jaskova, Nature-Based Therapist, Clinical Psychologist
Karina Jaskova is a Certified Clinical and Health Psychologist, as well as a practitioner of Nature-Based Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Since entering the field of psychology in 2006, she has been dedicated to guiding individuals from all walks of life toward mental well-being. Her deep connection to nature, nurtured since childhood, inspired her to explore Nature-Based Therapy and Ecopsychology, leading to the co-founding of the Society of Nature-Based Therapy Latvia. Through her platform, Whisper of the Earth, Karina shares practical insights to help people reconnect with nature, fostering personal healing and respectful relationships with the natural world, while reminding us that we are an integral part of nature.
