It’s that time again. The year’s winding down, the air is crisp, and life feels a little slower (okay, not too slow). This is when we start thinking about what’s next while looking back at what’s already happened. It’s like a little mental holiday cleanup—tidying up the messes, pulling out the favorites, and figuring out where to go from here.
If you’re anything like me, you’re juggling a million hats—mom hat, work hat, everything-in-between hat. And now you’ve got the “goal-setting” and “end-of-year planning” hats on, too. But don’t worry. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about taking small steps. Reflection doesn’t have to be heavy or overwhelming. It’s just one way to make sure the life you’re building feels good to you.
Whether you’re a dreamer, a planner, or just trying to keep all the plates spinning, here’s a little guide to help you reflect. Grab a journal (or honestly, a sticky note is fine). We’ll keep this simple—stuff you can scribble in between naps, commutes, or stealing five quiet minutes with your coffee.
Personal Reflection
Are You Happy?
This one’s big, and it’s okay if the answers are messy. Are you happy? Yes? No? A little of both? Sometimes we realize happiness isn’t this all-or-nothing thing—it stretches and bends in strange ways. Take a moment to sit with it. Write down what’s been good and what hasn’t.
Think about your friendships. Are you surrounded by people who lift you up? What about the way you take care of yourself? Are you getting enough time to breathe, rest, or just be you? (Not “mom you” or “work you”—just plain old you.)
Are You Taking Care of Yourself?
How’s your body feeling? Your mind? Think about the ways you recharge—whether it’s through exercise, zoning out with a good book, or sneaking a solo grocery run just to get some peace (we’ve all done it). Life is easier to handle when you’re healthy and taking care of yourself feels doable.
What About Your People?
Relationships matter. Look at the friendships and connections in your life. Are they making you feel loved and grounded? Are you showing up for the ones who matter most? Not every friendship has to be deep and intense, but the good ones should make you feel seen and loved.
Family Check-In
Are You Present?
Think about the little moments with your family this past year. Have you felt there with them? Are you playing the board games, having the late-night talks, or just sharing random giggles over who spilled the milk? Those moments aren’t just warm fuzzy memories; they’re what really hold us together when life feels chaotic.
How Are the Kids?
If you have kids, now’s a good time to think about how they’re doing. Are they happy? Struggling with something? Are you celebrating their strengths while helping them through the tough stuff? Whether it’s school grades or big emotions, reflection is a way to ask yourself, How can I support them more in the coming year?
How’s Your Marriage (or Partnership)?
If you’ve got a partner, this is where you pause to think about that relationship. Are you feeling connected? Are you making time for each other? It’s easy to put “couple stuff” on the back burner when there’s so much else going on, but even little things like a shared coffee or a no-phone dinner can make a world of difference.
Business Reflection
What Did You Achieve?
For my fellow mompreneurs or anyone pursuing big career goals, this part’s all about celebrating your wins. Maybe it’s signing a big client or hitting a sales goal. Maybe it’s just sticking it out when the going got tough. Or maybe it’s being more consistent with your content. Write it all down, big and small.
What Needs Work?
Be real with yourself here. Look at what worked and what didn’t. Did your marketing connect with the right people? Were you consistent enough (or maybe too consistent and burned out)? Those answers give you the foundation for next year.
Are You Balancing the Chaos?
This one’s personal because work-life balance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Were you running yourself into the ground? Or maybe pouring so much into work that family time took a hit? Think about how your work impacts your life, and jot down how you’d like it to feel different in 2025.
Quick Recap Questions
Here’s a cheat sheet to guide your reflection. Write them down, or just think through them while folding the laundry.
- Are you happy? What’s helping—or blocking—that happiness?
- How are your self-care and health routines?
- What friendships and connections are important to you?
- How have you shown up for your family?
- How’s your relationship with your partner?
- How are your kids doing, and how can you support them next year?
- What felt great about work/business this year?
- What could have gone better?
- Are you balancing things in a way that feels good to you?
Wrap It Up
End-of-year reflection doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s not about finding THE answer—it’s about listening to you. Even five minutes spent thinking about what’s working and what isn’t can be a step toward living with more purpose and less stress.
And remember, any changes you plan for the new year don’t have to be huge. Want to work a little less? Start small, like turning off your work phone one night a week. Want more family time? Make Sunday afternoons a “no screens” zone or plan one easy outing each month.
Here’s to building a year that makes you feel good—inside and out. Whatever 2025 brings, know that you’ve got this. Grab your journal (or that sticky note) and get started. Those dreams waiting around the corner? They’re yours for the taking. 💛
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