Do This Powerful Exercise Now to Reflect on 2024 and Reset for 2025

As we get closer to New Year’s, most people go straight to their resolutions for the upcoming year. But they’re missing a crucial step that can make the difference between actually achieving your resolutions or not. Reflecting on the past year and resetting for the next can uncover valuable lessons, celebrate growth, and inspire intentional goals. I always make it a habit to create a list of goals or intentions at the beginning of each new year, but something I’ve learned is that we change a lot throughout the year. Some goals that feel so important in January may not hold the same weight six months later, much less by December.

When I reflect on the previous year, I don’t beat myself up about not accomplishing everything on my original list. Instead, I take notice of the unexpected wins and moments of growth that happened outside of those goals. For example, I may not have journaled every day this year as intended, but I did read 57 books (beating my goal of 50!) and conquered my fear of heights by hiking a very steep mountain. These milestones weren’t part of my original plan, but they were just as meaningful. You don’t need a new year to start fresh and realign with what truly matters, but the opportunity to reset before the start of the year has been crucial for me when I have felt overwhelmed or stuck in unproductive patterns. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating space to move forward with intention and purpose. Whether your year was filled with milestones, challenges, or a mix of both, taking time to reflect and reset is a meaningful act of self-care and self-discovery.

This process empowers you to:

• Gain clarity: Identify what worked, what didn’t, and why, so you can make more informed decisions moving forward.
• Celebrate growth: Acknowledge lessons learned and wins, no matter how small, to build confidence and resilience.
• Set intentional goals: Use insights from the past year to shape goals aligned with your values and priorities.
• Let go of what no longer serves you: Release habits, patterns, or beliefs that hinder your growth to create space for something better.

Reflection bridges the past and future, providing the clarity and purpose needed to reset. Below, you’ll find thoughtful prompts to guide you through this powerful process.

Journal Prompts to Reflect on the Past Year

Taking stock of the past year allows us to celebrate wins, acknowledge challenges, and uncover valuable lessons. Use these journal prompts to dive into the highlights, low points, and everything in between.

Wins Worth Celebrating

• What are you most proud of accomplishing this year?
• Were there any small victories or milestones you didn’t think to celebrate?
• What personal strengths helped you succeed this year?

Challenges and Growth

• What was the biggest challenge you faced in 2024, and how did you overcome it?
• What’s one thing you learned about yourself through this experience?

Moments of Joy

• What brought you the most joy this year?
• Was there a moment when you felt truly aligned with yourself?
• How can you bring more of those joyful experiences into 2025?

Habits and Patterns

• Which habits or routines served you well this year?
• Were there any that hindered your progress or well-being?
• What’s one habit you’d like to build or let go of in the year ahead?

“It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating space to move forward with intention and purpose.”

Journal Prompts to Reset for the Year Ahead

Once you’ve reflected on the past year, it’s time to set your intentions for the next. Whether you’re focused on specific goals or simply striving to cultivate more balance, these journal prompts will help you reset and align with your vision for 2025.

Dream Big

• If 2025 were your dream year, what would it look like?
• What’s one big goal you’d love to achieve, and what’s the first step you can take toward it?
• What new opportunities or experiences would you like to welcome into your life?

Align Your Life

• What values do you want to prioritize in the coming year? (e.g., connection, creativity, health, freedom)
• How can you align your daily habits with those values?
• What boundaries can you set to protect your time, energy, or peace?

Let Go and Move Forward

• What’s one fear, belief, or pattern you’re ready to leave behind?
• Is there anything you’ve been holding onto that no longer serves you?
• How can you approach 2025 with a fresh mindset?

Intentions and Affirmations

• Choose a word, phrase, or mantra to guide you through the new year. (e.g., “growth,” “lightness,” “focus”)
• Write two to three affirmations that embody how you want to show up in 2025.
• How will you hold yourself accountable to your intentions throughout the year?

By carving out time to reflect on where you’ve been and reset for where you’re going, you can end the year with gratitude and begin the new one with purpose. Here’s to making 2025 your best year yet!