Closing one chapter, opening another – A REFLECTIVE GUIDE TO THE NEW YEAR

As the year comes to an end, we often feel the pull to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. Some of us look back with gratitude, others with relief. Some of us set ambitious resolutions, while others simply hope for a fresh start.

But what if, instead of rushing into the next year with expectations and pressure, we took a moment to pause? To acknowledge all that we’ve been through, all that we’ve learned, and all that is yet to unfold?

Take a moment to reflect: If you could choose one word to define the past year, what would it be? And what word do you want to guide you in the year ahead?

Looking Back: What This Year Taught You

The past year wasn’t just a collection of days—it was a story. A story filled with lessons, challenges, growth, and unexpected moments that shaped you.

Instead of focusing on what you didn’t accomplish, ask yourself:

• What did I learn about myself this year?

• What challenges made me stronger?

• What moments, no matter how small, brought me joy?

Even the hardest years carry gifts. Sometimes, we just need to pause long enough to see them.

Letting Go: What No Longer Needs to Follow You into the New Year

Not everything from this year needs to come with you into the next. Some habits, thought patterns, and expectations may have served you once, but are now ready to be released.

Ask yourself:

• What am I holding onto that no longer aligns with who I want to become?

• What weight can I put down to make space for something new?

• What belief about myself am I ready to rewrite?

Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting—it means making room for growth.

Looking Ahead: Setting Intentions Without Pressure

Instead of setting rigid resolutions that often fade by February, what if you chose a guiding intention for the year? Something that doesn’t feel like an obligation, but an invitation.

Try this:

• Choose one word that reflects what you want to cultivate in 2026 (e.g., ease, courage, trust, adventure, connection).

• Ask yourself, If I fully embodied this word, how would my life feel different by the end of the year?

• Set small, meaningful steps that bring this intention to life—without pressure, just gentle movement forward.

The new year isn’t about forcing change. It’s about creating space for what matters.

As we close this chapter and open the next, remember: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Growth isn’t about reaching a perfect destination—it’s about showing up, again and again, with an open heart.

So, I ask you: What’s one lesson you’re carrying with you from this year? And what’s one intention you’d like to set for the year ahead?