It’s hard to believe the end of another year is upon us. The holidays are in full swing. Time with family and friends. Looking ahead to a new year waiting to be uncovered.

The close of 2025 brings perspective. A chance to take inventory. Not to judge or criticize, but to notice. What worked. What didn’t. What surprised you. What stretched you. There are no failures here, only lessons.

Taking the time to reflect matters. Because moving forward without looking back often means carrying more than we realize, or need to.

There were wins worth celebrating, even if they felt small at the time. Moments of gratitude that mattered deeply. There were also areas that asked to be pruned. Habits, commitments, expectations that once made sense but no longer fit the season you are in.

What Do You Carry Forward, and What Stays Here?

Not everything needs to make the trip into 2026. This past year reminded me of that in a very personal way.

My word for 2025 has been reclaim. And I did just that.

I reclaimed my time. My energy. My attention. I reclaimed me.

I began removing stress and triggers that had been clinging far longer than I realized, like a bad stench you don’t notice until the air finally clears. It was a process that was both gentle and profound.

You don’t fully understand how you’ve been managing, tolerating, and normalizing until it’s no longer surrounding you.

Strong boundaries created freedom and a clearer outlook. That clarity created space I had been missing for quite some time. Space to create. To build. To explore. Space to remember how much I love dreaming big and looking up at the endless possibilities ahead.

I gained more capacity to focus on the things that lit a fire within me, and to let go of the things that weighed me down.

Setting Intentions That Actually Matter

Maybe your intentions don’t need to be louder, bigger, or more aggressive. Perhaps they need to be more genuine. How you want to feel. How you want to live. What kind of relationship you want with your time, your work, and yourself, both physically and mentally.

This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about honoring who you already are and giving yourself the conditions to thrive.

A Pulse Check to Close the Year

I’ve always appreciated a thoughtful end-of-year recap. It sets the tone and keeps me focused on what truly matters. The goal isn’t a perfect list, but an intentional one.

1. Name Three Things You’re Proud Of

Big or small, name them. Not just what looked impressive on paper, but what felt meaningful.

2. Identify One Thing to Leave Behind

A habit. A mindset. A commitment that no longer serves you. Write it down. Make the release conscious.

3. Choose a Word for 2026

This one matters more than it seems, and I love it! There’s accountability in choosing a word that will guide you when decisions feel noisy. This isn’t a resolution. It’s a guide.

4. Create White Space Before You Create Plans

Leave room for clarity to surface. Once it does, jot down what you want to focus on. Let intention lead action.

5. Ask Yourself This Question

What am I no longer available for next year, even if it once felt expected of me?

Sit with that for a bit. Clarity often comes from what you decide to stop carrying.

 As the year winds down, give yourself a moment to exhale. Reflect without judgment and celebrate what carried you through. Let go of what no longer needs to come with you.

Head into the new year with clarity, steadiness, and trust in yourself. Trust in what you have learned. Trust in what you are building. Trust in what is still unfolding.

Until next time — be a good HUMAN ✨

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