A couple of years ago my partner and I played a game on New Year’s Eve. We called it a drinking game although we didn’t drink too much or stay up too late.

At the time our son was only two years old and still not sleeping through the night but we were determined to have a bit of fun even if we needed to stay home. I loved how the game inspired me to focus on what was good, to look at the tough stuff too but not to get stuck in it. It’s easy to do that when you’re tired.

That post also turned out to be a very popular one so I wanted to bring the idea back for the new readers, and those of you who didn’t get the chance to play. And of course I need some more help with focusing on the good.

Now that our son is nearing four and a half he still struggles with sleeping through the night in his own bed. He’s been up every night (except one!) for nearly a month straight and it’s getting us really down. Needless to say, we are exhausted.

But rather than focus on what’s going terribly wrong AGAIN, I want to reflect on what’s good AGAIN. It is too easy to get depressed about the lack of sleep and I am tired of it.

My patience is being tested in ways I never expected, and with the short fuse I have, it’s not been pretty.

Two years ago when it was really bad, we coped by having a beer or two or something stronger depending, to bring some cheer back into our lives. But that backfired.

Drinking and sleep deprivation, although it may seem necessary to cope, is a terrible combination.

So these days we’ve been trying to stay off the sauce. At the holidays it is always more difficult to abstain from anything as I’m feeling the tiredness suck the life out of me again.

But…I’m not here to complain. Really I’m not. I just want you to know where I’m coming from as it’s certainly not all roses and rainbows over here. I’m sure you can relate.

With that in mind, here are 20 questions to help bring the focus back on what’s good and right about this life. Write them down, put them into a hat and enjoy the conversation that comes!

20 Questions to ponder on New Year’s Eve with family and friends

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

5. Pick three words to describe this past year.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their past year, without asking.

7. In what way(s) did you grow mentally or emotionally?

8. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

9. What was the single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

10. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

And if you have kids that are a little bit older than mine, here’s 10 more questions for them.

1. What was your favourite thing from last spring?

2. What was you favourite thing from this past summer?

3. What was your favourite thing from the fall?

4. What was your favourite thing from this past winter?

5. What was the hardest thing that happened?

6. What were the best books you read this year?

7. Who were the most important people in your life?

8. What was your favourite thing you learned this year?

9. How do you hope this next year will be like this past year?

10. How do you hope this next year will be different for you?

Here are my answers from New Year’s 2013 in case you were wondering. Thanks Tsh at the Art of Simple for this great way to bring in the New Year! 

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful start to the New Year. I love you!