A guided structure for a 1-hour end-of-year self-reflection session
For this end-of-year Reflection session you need the following things:
About 1 hour of time
Some paper and something write
Helpful are also: different markers and perhaps some other materials to help you visually (different colored cardboard, magazines to cut out pictures from, stickers etc.).
Here is how you start: Once you have found the time and you have your materials ready, you can start straight away.
Looking back on 2025 (ca. 20 minutes):
The first third or the Reflection session is spent looking back and reviewing the past year. Below you find several questions you can use to reflect on the past year.
- What were some highs and what were some lows for you?
- Looking back, what was necessary, and perhaps what was a bit “unnecessary”?
- If you could pick, which experiences would you want to have again in the next year, what would you perhaps want more of and what would you like to experience less of?
You can try to answer all of these questions, or focus on one of two of them. Of course you can also add your own questions, if you would like to look back on your year with a different focus.
Gratitude (ca. 15 minutes):
Next you will spend some time considering what you have and being with the feeling of gratitude. You can write a longer text here, or stick with short keywords. The following are some questions that can guide this part of the practice:
What do I have/What did I do that I feel grateful for?
Would I like more of this, the same, or could I do with less?
Self-appreciation (ca. 15 minutes):
In this part of the review I would like you to look back on your past achievements, small and big.
To help you remember, you can look at your calendar of the last year, or read your diary.
Make a list of the achievements, and include anything that you would reflect back positively to a friend who has done the same thing. So anything can be added here from “I worked out regularly/several times” to “I completed that course that I previously wasn’t sure whether I could manage it”. Other things to add here, could be in relation to others, like setting better boundaries, making time for friends, moments when you managed to prioritise your wellbeing, even if it was uncomfortable or things you learned about yourself that make you appreciative of yourself.
Once you have done this, look at each item you have written down. If you want you can say one appreciative sentence about each of them out loud, or in your head.
Intention (ca. 10 minutes)
The last section of the practice will focus on setting yourself up for a good next year.
Now you have reflected back and noticed the achievements of your previous year(s), it is time to ask yourself how you want to proceed into the next year. You can copy down sections of the previous parts or figure out other goals you would like to work on for the next year, based on common themes in, for example the “self-appreciation” section.
Here is a few things to consider:
Goals need to be sustainable, so rather than going all in and expecting to immediately strive for several big changes at once, pace yourself (I know it can feel a bit boring). You will thank yourself for it later! Everyone who has felt stressed because of overcommitting to too many things at once in the past, knows the feeling we are trying to avoid with this.
Make it visual! Creating a motivational collage, or a place where you can keep a streak visible can do wonders for our motivation. You could start out on your goal(s) by planning a session (with friends, if you want!) during which you create a positive, visual reminder of your goals.
Look for courses or other activities that would support your goals and already book them, or at least put reminders in your calendar.
Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope that you will find my ideas on how you can make good use of just 1 hour to take some steps towards a successful and happy new year.
If you would like to work with me, you can contact me through my contact page and we can have a non-committal quick call to discuss your wants and needs.
I wish you happy holidays and a happy new year!
Margaretha Madoures 