The summer solstice (somewhere between June 20-22, it changes each year), marks the midpoint of the year, and this time of year is an excellent time for some deep reflection.

We’re now halfway into the year, and you might find yourself feeling like you haven’t done and achieved all that you set your heart on achieving this year. Now, this might be true, but it might also just be a feeling you have since it’s often hard to see the forest for all the trees when you’re standing right in the middle of it.

Either way know that no matter how far you’ve come, you’re in the right place,
and all that matters is what you do next!

Summer is a season of fire, and at the summer solstice, the sun appears at its highest elevation in the sky. So, you can use this bright light to shine some light on what you have achieved these first six months of the year and take time to reflect on your progress as well as what the next logical steps might be.

This time of the year also has a bittersweet quality to it. As we celebrate the light and arrival of summer, we’re also reminded that we have reached the longest day of the year, and from now on the days start to slowly get shorter again.

The summer solstice reminds us that the eternal cycle of expansion and growth is followed by contraction and shrinking, and this is how things should be. As you expand and grow as a person there are things you will have to let go of, things that have reached completion or that you have outgrown.

And while growth and change are exciting, it can also be bittersweet to let go of things that have served you well. But it is all part of the cycle of growth that the sun teaches us so well. We grow, let go, and turn inwards to begin the cycle all over again.

So, take a moment to pause and reflect on the year so far. Reflect on where you are, how you have grown, what you’re ready to let go of, and what to do next.

You can do a short meditation, or body scan to get you into the right mindset. Open to uncovering and exploring your current state without judgment and ready to answer these questions.

Use these questions to do a Summer Solstice reflection on your life.

1. What are significant achievements (for your progress, these might not be big or bold) or milestones you have reached in the first half of the year?
   Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for all the things you’re doing right. Whatever it is, take stock of your successes and give yourself some credit.
2. What has been working really well for you so far? Why do you think that is? And can you use this knowledge to create more momentum in other areas of your life?
   It’s not only important to celebrate achievements, but also to reflect on what made them possible for you to achieve. Is there something you can replicate and do more of in other areas of your life?
3. What’s been challenging for you these past six months? Where are you struggling? Is there anything you can do differently going forward?
   “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” So, take a good hard look at what’s isn’t working for you anymore. Get ready to let go of what is no longer serving you and brainstorm new approaches and ways to overcome and work through any tough stuff.
4. What does your version of success look like these days?
   Has your perception of success changed over the last 6 months? And do the actions and behaviors you are doing right now support this version of success? Success means something different to different people. It’s important that you define your own definition of success and check in with it from time to time to make sure you’re still in alignment.
5. What is the one thing you want to achieve this year?
   What are you currently doing to make this happen? What do you need to do differently to speed it along? Try to identify one single action, behavior, or thing that aligns with your highest priority and commit to taking it on.

In closing

As you contemplate these five deep reflection questions, be sure to take a moment to embrace the insights and clarity that surface. The summer solstice, with its radiant light and vibrant energy, serves as a powerful reminder of both your potential for growth and the natural cycles of life.

Acknowledge the achievements that have marked your journey so far, honor the lessons learned from your challenges, and gently let go of what no longer serves you.

Remember like the powerful fire of the sun you have an inner fire. Your own sun, burning inside of you. Take time to recognize and acknowledge the important things that your inner fire does for you. Express gratitude for that part of yourself in the same way that we celebrate the summer sun at summer solstice.