Reflection and Krapp

Thoughtful reflection is one of the cornerstones of a life well-lived. It is fertile ground in which the seeds of personal growth and self-awareness take root. By looking back, we learn from our triumphs and mistakes, gain perspective, and grow more knowledgeable and confident in ourselves. Processing past experiences and patterns fosters resilience. Because of its critical role in growth, reflection is central to the THRIVE methodology and all coaching practices. Of course, life is best lived in the present, but while rumination and nostalgia carry the risk of lingering too long in what has transpired, a purposeful look back yields invaluable personal insights that often bring new clarity.

Let Life Imitate Art

Recently, I attended Beckett Briefs at the Irish Repertory Theatre—exceedingly well-performed and highly recommended if you get the chance to see it. The third short play performed was Krapp’s Last Tape. I’m a big fan of "going in cold" to any play, musical, movie, or TV show, and it gives nothing away to say this work centers on a man who makes a recording each year on his birthday, summarizing his year.

As I approach a milestone birthday myself, I found myself wishing I had such a ritual and felt inspired to do some introspection as I transition through this birthday month. If you’re wondering, Who does a series on reflection and intention in the second month of the year? Or, for that matter, Who goes to see a series of Beckett shorts at a time when no one needs any help seeing the darker side of life? The answer to both: a nerdy Aquarius who finds hopeful appreciation in these renderings of the complex human condition.

I am exceedingly grateful to be looking back from a point in life I could hardly have imagined for myself for so much of it. I am happily married, professionally successful, and spending most hours of most days exactly as I wish—engaging with fantastic art in the greatest city in the world, playing on the beach with my dogs, traveling extensively, visiting my amazing stepsons, nieces, nephews, family and dear friends, as well as simply to savor life in all its variety. I have faced health setbacks I couldn’t have anticipated, which then compounded into additional concerns, but I am tackling what I can with a steady and balanced focus on reclaiming good health. My life is not perfect, but it is so much better than I could have imagined in my earliest childhood daydreams.

So, as part of this birthday reflection, I am zooming in on a few milestone birthdays from the past—40, 35, 30, and 25—to do exactly what I mentioned above: examine what I can learn from past triumphs and failures, what fresh perspective I can bring to my younger self’s experiences, and how I can grow into my next milestone year with these insights in hand.

(K)Coach’s Last Tape (and Yours!)

Today, I’m going to play a little Coach Sara’s Last Tape, and I encourage you to play along if you like. Here’s how:

Step 1: Find a Message from the Past

I’m looking through my sent email folder for a message from around my 25th birthday, but you can use:

• An old journal entry

• A past social media post

• A saved video recording

• A letter or message from to old friend or family member

Reflect on what you find:

• What stands out—tone, topic, intensity?

• Do you recognize this voice? Does it still resonate?

• Does it bring up an emotional response?

• What would you say to this younger version of yourself? Do you see things differently now?

Spend some time with this reflection.

Step 2: Record a Message to Your Future Self

Now, create your own version of Krapp’s habit of yearly reflections. Record a video or voice memo speaking openly about:

• Your hopes, doubts, and expectations.

• What you fear might change or stay the same.

• Your reaction to hearing from your past self.

• A question for your future self to answer.

  
  

Step 3: Store It for Future Reflection

Give your recording a clear name and place it somewhere easy to retrieve but out of immediate sight. Set a reminder in your calendar to listen to it one year from now.

I’ll be posting my immediate reaction/reflection, and my full, future-self message next year at this time, and I hope you will too!