Year Reflection: A Soft Close
Does January have you rolling your eyes at the endless “New Year, New Me” posts? Maybe you’re tired of setting the same goals year after year. Or perhaps you find yourself completely drained after a hectic holiday season. Depending on your industry, you might be tackling end-of-year reconciliations or staring down spring tax season. For many of us, the so-called "fresh start" of January feels more like a moment to catch our breath than jump headfirst into something new.
The pressure to start everything on January 1 can be overwhelming and unnecessary. Here’s the good news: you get to choose when, how, and why you begin your next evolution. If the first doesn’t work for you, pick the tenth. Start in December. Begin midyear.
Winter can be a season of rest—an opportunity to turn inward, slow down, and meaningfully decide how you want the year to unfold. By giving yourself permission to reflect and ease into your intentions, you set the stage for sustainable growth.
The Importance of Reflection
In our fast-paced lives, we often jump from one goal to the next without stopping to celebrate our achievements or learn from our experiences. This habit—called the hedonic treadmill—means we quickly return to a baseline level of happiness, no matter how much we accomplish. Without reflection, we risk getting stuck in a constant cycle of striving, missing out on the fulfillment and clarity that comes from recognizing our growth.
Here’s the truth: Our courage to move forward grows from acknowledging what we’ve already done.
Reflection helps us pause, take stock of our efforts, and understand where we’ve succeeded, what we’ve learned, and how far we’ve come.
Personal Story: The Power of Looking Back
It’s kind of like that sticker on your car mirror: “Objects in the rear-view mirror are closer than they appear.” Time has a way of distorting our memories, often making us underestimate how much we’ve actually accomplished.
Every time I review the past 1, 3, or 5 years, I’m blown away. Five years ago, COVID-19 was just about to upend everything in the U.S. Seven years ago, I bought my first house—since then, I’ve lived in two different states, bought three homes, sold two, and now live part-time on a Greek island. Ten years ago, I was a completely different person.
When we’re in the thick of growth, it can feel like nothing’s changing. The same goals, the same struggles—it’s easy to think you’re stuck. But when you take time to look back, you’ll start to see the incremental progress:
Maybe you’ve set boundaries where you never had them before.
Perhaps you’ve strengthened your patience or become more intentional in your choices.
Growth is often slow and subtle, but it accumulates. Reflection allows you to recognize and celebrate it.
Steps to Close the Year with Clarity and Confidence
Here’s how to approach your year-end reflection with purpose:
Set Aside Time
Find a quiet space free from distractions to focus on the past year.Celebrate Your Wins
List your achievements, big and small. Recognizing these boosts morale and reminds you of your progress.Learn from Challenges
Identify areas where things didn’t go as planned. Reflect on the lessons and consider how they can guide your future.Assess Your Growth
Look at how you’ve developed emotionally, professionally, and personally.Express Gratitude
Acknowledge the people and experiences that positively shaped your year.
Introducing the Annual Reset: Free Year Review + Planning Guide
To make this process easier, I’m going to be giving away a Free Annual Reset: Year Review + Planning Guide. It’s a simple yet impactful tool to help you reflect on the past year and step into the new one with clarity and purpose.
Reflection is empowering—it highlights your progress, builds confidence, and sets a strong foundation for what’s next. Whether you’re starting on January 1 or choosing your own timeline, this guide will help you move forward with intention.
Give yourself the gift of reflection. Celebrate how far you’ve come, and let that clarity guide you as you create a year that feels aligned, purposeful, and uniquely yours.
With Love,
