By Stephenie Craig, Journey Bravely
2025 is rushing to a close. Maybe you find yourself overscheduled and weighed down by your own expectations or those of others this month. Maybe your mind is busy with gift planning, meal planning and travel planning. What will your kids do while out of school? How will you manage time away from work? How will you navigate awkward and difficult relationships through the holidays? What will you wear? What pictures will you post? How will you love others well?
December is a brain-busy month. It’s easy to fill the days forgetting to slow down, rest, and reflect on what 2025 has meant to you. Reflecting on what you have experienced and learned each year creates an opportunity for you to approach the next year with intentionality about living life according to your values. Here are some questions and instructions to guide personal reflection regarding the past year, the present, and what you want for 2026.
Create space – Set aside a couple of hours to work through these questions without distraction (including your phone).
Record reflections – Honestly and vulnerably record your answers so you can refer back to them throughout the year and review them at the end of next year.
Share it – Share your responses with one or two trusted people. Sharing intentions with others solidifies them internally and increases your chances of following through.
Live from it – Use the responses to these questions as a daily compass directing your next steps.
THE PAST YEAR
- What did you accomplish personally and professionally that you feel really good about?
- What challenges, struggles and fears did you work through?
- What did you hope to accomplish or change but weren’t able to? What kept you from doing so?
- How are you different from 12 months ago? What did you learn? How did you grow?
- How did you make a positive difference in the world around you?
- What and who brought you the most joy?
- What and who were the greatest stressors?
- What did you tolerate this year?
- What are you thankful for from the past year?
- What are your top 3 insights?
THE PRESENT
Life is made up of multiple domains. Take time to check in with yourself by rating each of the following areas on a scale of 1-10:
Personal – How do you feel about yourself?
Physical – How are you taking care of your body (diet, exercise, rest, etc.)?
Financial – How is your financial situation (income, budget, spending, savings, giving, etc.)?
Spiritual – How satisfied are you with the way faith is integrated into your life?
Vocational – How do you feel about your work/career? Family – How are you doing as a partner and/or parent? Friends – How do you feel about your social relationships?
Fun – How well are you creating time for enjoyment and recreation?
What 2-3 areas of life do you most want to improve in the next year? What steps will you take to make those improvements?
THE UPCOMING YEAR
- If it were two years from now and you were living your best life, how would you know?
- If it were two years from now and you weren’t living your best life, what got in the way?
- Who do you want to be by the end of the year? In what areas would you like to grow?
- What 2-3 things if completed would generate feelings of pride and fulfillment at the end of the year?
- What is one thing that if you accomplished it next year would make all your other goals easier or unnecessary?
- What do you want to start in the next year?
- What do you want to stop in the next year?
- How will you make a positive difference in the world around you next year?
- If this next year was a chapter in a book, what would you title it?
As you reflect, take time to celebrate and be thankful for the good and growth in 2025 wherever you can find it. And, as you look toward 2026, remember that no one is perfect and you have the ability to grow and gather wisdom each day. Your journey is traveled over a lifetime and all of your growth adds to the depth and beauty of your story. For support along your journey, connect with us at www.journeybravely.com.
