The One Step Most People Skip Before the New Year
As we head into the new year, I want to share something that might not be on your radar but has been a cornerstone in my life for over a decade: reflection. And I’m not just talking about an annual ritual. This is something I do daily, and when we’re stepping into a big new season, it becomes even more transformative.
If you don’t slow down to reflect, you’re almost guaranteed to repeat the same year with different goals.
A lot of people jump into resolutions fueled by a burst of motivation, and then it fades because there’s no deeper why anchoring them. Reflection changes that.
Research consistently shows that reflection improves follow-through because it connects your behavior to meaning, not just outcomes. When you take time to process what actually happened, you stop guessing about what you need next.
You start building from clarity.
So before you run into 2026, slow down and do this right.
Below are ten reflection questions to help you turn 2025 into a real roadmap for growth. Don’t rush these. Sit with them. Write honest answers. This is where clarity comes from.
10 Reflection Questions to Close Out 2025
What was one unexpected challenge you faced this year and how did you handle it?
What’s a moment from 2025 you’re especially proud of?
Where did you see the most growth in your life this year, and what contributed to it?
What did you learn about yourself that you didn’t know before?
If you could give your January 2025 self a piece of advice, what would it be?
What’s one habit or practice you want to bring with you into 2026?
What do you want to leave behind as you move into the new year?
How did your values show up in your decisions this year?
Who influenced you the most and how did they shape your journey?
What does a successful 2026 look like for you, now that you’ve reflected on this past year?
If you’re wondering how to reflect, here’s a simple framework I’ve used for years. You can use this daily, weekly, or as a year-end reset. Don’t overthink it. 5-10 minutes is enough.
A Simple Reflection Framework
How are you feeling?
Start with your emotions. Just notice them without fixing anything.
What’s on your mind?
Do a brain dump. Get everything out of your head and onto the page.
Any new insights?
Look back at what you wrote. What did you learn? What’s clearer now?
A question to lift your gaze
End with one question that helps you zoom out and see the bigger picture as you move forward.
This practice may look simple, but it’s powerful. Reflection is how you stop getting trapped in the day-to-day and start thinking in decades.
This is why Growdie exists.
I’ve been diving into the 2025 Growdie data, and it’s incredible to see how clearly people’s growth stories come into focus when reflection is built into the process. Growdie helps you reflect as you grow, not after the year is already gone.
If you want to step into 2026 with clarity, intention, and a real foundation, start here. Slow down. Reflect. And build forward with clarity and intention. 💯