Well, friends, this is my final blog post for 2025! I really hope you’ve enjoyed the series this year, and I’m already buzzing with ideas for what we’ll explore together in 2026.
To wrap up the year, let’s talk about something essential: reflection, resetting, and setting intentions.
The end of the year is honestly the most natural moment to just pause, take a big exhale, and gently decide how you want to step into the next one. Let’s be real—you’ve carried a lot: deadlines, shifting goals, other people’s expectations, and the heavy, invisible “mental load” of just keeping life running. It’s time to give your body and mind the reset they deserve.
First, Let’s Reflect (Not Judge)
Reflection is simply giving yourself permission to notice your own thoughts and patterns so you can choose what to keep and what to change. The key is to avoid the “should haves.” Instead of replaying everything you feel you failed at, zoom out and look at the bigger picture:
- What am I proud of from 2025, big or small?
- Which habits or situations consistently spiked my stress?
- Where did I feel most like myself—at work and outside of work?
Why the Reset Matters So Much
A proper reset gives your nervous system a much-needed breather after a hectic year. It’s how you protect your motivation, creativity, and emotional balance so you don’t accidentally drag 2025’s exhaustion right into the new calendar year.
Here are a few simple grounding practices you can try over the holiday break:
Practice Gratitude: take a minute each day to notice a few things you’re truly grateful for. This is a gentle way to shift your focus from stress and comparison to appreciation and feeling like you have enough.
Mindful Movement: move your body in ways that feel kind, not punishing. Yoga, simple breath work, or an evening walk all count. Doing even one of these most nights can make a huge difference in how steady and balanced you feel.
Digital Boundaries: give your brilliant brain a break from the constant noise. Maybe you try “no emails after 8 p.m.” or save all personal social media scrolling for the weekend. Less screen time almost always means less mental clutter and more genuine rest.
These small practices work together to clear your head and sharpen your focus for what’s next.
Planning For 2026: Intentions, Not Punishing Resolutions
Instead of those harsh, all-or-nothing New Year’s resolutions, try setting intentions. An intention is about how you want to live and feel throughout the year, rather than just hitting a rigid outcome. To make your intentions practical and effective;
- Use the past year’s insights: what worked well for you? what clearly didn’t? use those answers as your starting point.
- Be specific and doable: swap “I want to be healthier” for something like, “I’ll start each week with a simple meal prep” or “I’ll try to walk or exercise three times a week.”
- Prioritise what matters most: choose only one or two intentions that genuinely resonate with your heart. This keeps your focus clear and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed or “behind” by February 1st.
The Power of the Solstice (Around December 21st)
Did you know that around December 21st, the Earth reaches a turning point called the Solstice? Across many cultures, this time has been treated as a powerful moment to pause, honour what has been, and plant “seeds” for what comes next. That’s why December 21st is such a beautiful day for setting your New Year intentions. You’re aligning your inner reset with a natural shift in the seasons, using it as a gentle starting line for the changes you want to grow in 2026.
Your Next Step:
Choose a quiet moment, ideally around December 21st, to reflect on your year and write down 1–2 intentions for 2026. Then, pick a date in January (maybe the 30th?) to check back in with yourself.
By doing this, you’ll step into the new year feeling like you’re moving with the rhythm of the year—not racing against it.