Introduction
As the year comes to a close, it’s normal to feel reflective, tender, and even a little heavy. The past year holds so much: lessons you didn’t ask for, moments you’re proud of, grief you’ve carried quietly, and versions of you that don’t fit anymore. Letting go isn’t about forgetting—it’s about releasing the energetic grip of what’s finished so you can step forward lighter, clearer, and more aligned.
This guide is a gentle ritual journey to help you close the year with softness, gratitude, and renewal.
1) Start with a “Year Energy Check-In”
Before you release anything, get honest about what you’re still holding.
Take a few deep breaths, place a hand over your heart, and ask:
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What did this year teach me?
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What am I still carrying that isn’t mine anymore?
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What do I want to leave behind energetically?
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What do I want to bring with me into the new year?
If you can, write your answers down. Naming your energy is the first step to shifting it.
2) Clear Your Space to Clear Your Spirit
Your environment holds memory. A simple reset in your space can create a powerful shift inside you.
Try one (or combine a few):
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Declutter one small area (your nightstand, your bag, your wallet)
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Open a window for 5 minutes and imagine stale energy leaving
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Smoke cleanse with incense/sage/palo santo (or use a mist if you prefer)
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Sound cleanse with a bell, clapping, or a singing bowl
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Salt bowl reset: place a small bowl of salt in a corner overnight, then discard it
As you cleanse, repeat softly: “I release what has completed its purpose.”
3) Do a “Thank You + Goodbye” Journaling Ritual
This is one of the most powerful ways to close the year because it honors what happened without letting it follow you.
Write two short letters:
Letter 1: Thank You
Thank the year for:
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one gift
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one lesson
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one strength it gave you
Letter 2: Goodbye
Say goodbye to:
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one habit
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one belief
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one relationship dynamic
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one fear you’re done carrying
End with:
“I forgive. I release. I am free to begin again.”
Optional: safely burn or tear up the “Goodbye” letter as a symbolic release.
4) Energetic Cord Release (Gentle + Safe)
If certain memories, people, or situations still drain you, imagine energetic cords gently dissolving.
Close your eyes and visualize:
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a cord connecting you to that energy
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a soft light surrounding the cord
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the cord dissolving—not violently, but peacefully
Then say:
“I bless you. I release you. I call my energy back to me.”
Place your hands on your chest after and breathe slowly—this helps your body feel safe during release.
5) Water Ritual: Let It Flow Out
Water is a natural cleanser—emotionally and energetically.
Choose one:
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Shower release: let water run over your shoulders and imagine the year washing away
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Salt bath reset: add salt + a few deep breaths + a clear intention
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Bowl ritual: wash your hands in a bowl of water and say, “I begin again.”
If you want to add crystals nearby (not in the water unless they’re water-safe), try:
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Smoky Quartz (release)
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Amethyst (peace + clarity)
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Rose Quartz (self-forgiveness)
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Clear Quartz (new intention)
6) New Year Void: Rest Is Part of Releasing
Spiritual growth isn’t always action. Sometimes the most powerful release is allowing emptiness—space where something new can arrive.
Give yourself permission to pause:
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Say no without guilt
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Sleep more
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Unplug for an hour
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Spend time in silence
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Let your nervous system soften
When the year ends, it’s okay to feel “in between.” That liminal space is sacred.
7) Seal the Release with a Simple Closing Ceremony
To complete the process, create a final moment of closure.
Try this mini-ceremony:
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Light a candle.
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Place your hands over your heart.
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Say aloud:
“I honor what was. I release what is complete. I welcome what’s meant for me.” -
Sit quietly for one minute and feel the shift.
This tells your energy: the chapter is closed.
Final Thoughts
Letting go of the past year’s energy doesn’t mean you have to feel “positive” about everything that happened. It means you choose freedom over holding, softness over resistance, and faith over fear. You’re allowed to release what hurt you—even if it taught you something. You’re allowed to keep what nourished you. You’re allowed to step into the new year as a lighter, truer version of yourself.
We believe that every ending carries an invitation: to return to yourself, reclaim your energy, and begin again—more aligned than ever.
