End-of-Year Reflection: 12 Questions to Close the Year with Gratitude and Growth

As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to hit pause and reflect.  Taking a moment to look back can help us appreciate how far we’ve come, and create space for the exciting possibilities of the year ahead.

Reflection is like a gift to yourself — one that helps you grow, find clarity, and feel gratitude for the life you’re building.  We can take the time to celebrate our wins, and learn from our challenges.

You might like to grab a notebook or journal, a warm drink, and find a cozy spot to consider these questions – as well as any others that occur to you as you reflect on the year that was, looking for gratitude and growth.

1. What made me smile this year?

Think about the moments that brought you joy, and fun, and laughter.

Joy can be found in the little things — dancing in the kitchen, laughing with friends, or finishing a good book.  Or maybe it was a heartfelt conversation, a personal achievement, or even a peaceful sunrise.  Hold on to those memories — it’s important to treasure the good memories, and remember and savor whenever you can.

Take note of what made your heart happy, and try to incorporate more of that into the coming year.

2. What did I learn about myself?

Self-awareness is a superpower.  Maybe you discovered you’re braver than you thought (eg. getting out of your comfort zone, or standing up for yourself).  Or perhaps you realized the importance of slowing down — or incorporating exercise or meditation into your daily routine, to help with your mental and/or emotional state.

Growth often comes from lessons, big or small.  What new insights did you gain about your strengths, values, or dreams?

Honor these insights, and integrate them into your mind and body, to take forward, and use as a base to continue learning, as part of your journey into living your Best Life.

3. How did I handle challenges?

Every year brings its share of ups and downs — it’s part of being human.  Life throws curveballs, but every challenge brings a lesson, if you’re open to learning.

Reflect on how you overcame obstacles, and became stronger.  Growth often comes from the hard stuff – things you wished you did, things you wished you didn’t do, and things you wished you had handled differently.

Reflecting on how you faced difficulties can highlight your resilience, and areas where you can grow even more.  Though difficult, they can be a valuable resource.

4. What am I most proud of?

Celebrate your wins!  We often tend to underplay our wins, and focus instead on the negative. 

Think of your wins, big or small.  Did you stick to a habit, take a leap of faith, or have moments of pure joy?  Maybe you forced yourself out of your comfort zone, tried different types of exercises until you found one that you liked, or tried something new.

Whether it’s something big, or a small step forward, acknowledging your efforts helps build confidence and gratitude.  It also encourages you to keep trying new things.

5. What’s one thing I wish I had done differently?

No judgment here, just honesty.

Reflecting on what didn’t go as planned can help you make better choices moving forward.  It’s all part of the learning process.  If you’re not making mistakes, you’re probably not trying new things – which in turn helps with learning, and growing as a person.

The reflection and integration of your learnings leads to wisdom — which is always a great thing!  After all, don’t you want to become your Best Self, and live your Best Life?

6. What didn’t serve me, and what can I let go of?

What is not working for you?  Perhaps it may have worked in the past, but not now.  If you are learning, and reflecting, and growing, you may notice things that are not working for you anymore. 

This could include things like negative self-talk, unhelpful habits, or toxic relationships.  Or perhaps you’ve realised that your diet is not serving your body (too much soda, chocolate, and processed food – and your body is craving water, fresh fruit, and vegetables), so it can do what you want it to do. 

It might be time to change how you talk to yourself – to speak to yourself as you would your best friend.  It might be time to set (and enforce) boundaries with the people around you.  Or to change your junk food to healthy food – swap the unhealthy version to healthier (eg. soda to sparkling water; crisps to plain salted popcorn; hot chips to salad).  Maybe you could commit to a walk every day, even if it’s only 5-15 minutes to start with.  Any movement forward is a step in the right direction.  Progress is progress – small consistent steps still get you there.

This is a great time to reflect, and take the opportunity to release what does not align with your Best Self and Best Life.

7. Who made a positive impact in my life?

Think about the people who lifted you up, supported you, or inspired you.  It could be that someone helped you when you were down, with a kind, encouraging word, or a gift.  Or someone that was there for you when you were scared, or trying something new – or showed you by example something that could be done.

Maybe it’s time to let them know how much they, and/or their actions, meant to you.  This could be a phone call, a get-together, or a gift (eg. a home-made cake, or a plant).  Or is there something they need at this time (eg. a shoulder a cry on, or someone to walk with)?

Consider reaching out to thank them — it could brighten both your day and theirs.

8. What am I grateful for?

Gratitude shifts your mindset and brings positivity into your life.  Make a list of the things, big or small, that you’re thankful for this year. 

It could be time spent with loved ones, a new opportunity, or something as simple as a sunny day that lifted your spirits.  It would be great to include tangible (eg. a book you wanted, some new clothes, a roof over your head) and intangible (eg. a smile, an encouraging word, emotional support during a hard time) things if possible. 

Gratitude can bring a sense of peace and appreciation to your life.

9. What habits helped me thrive?

Look at the routines or actions that brought balance, joy, or growth.  

Did you start journaling, exercising, or creating more down-time?  Identify what brought positive energy to your life, so you can carry it forward.  You could even think of a few more habits that you might like to bring into your life.

Keep these in your toolkit for next year.

10. What goals did I achieve, and what do I want to build on?

Celebrate your progress – we tend not to do that enough! 

You can also think about how you can keep building momentum.  Even small steps forward are worth celebrating – small steps are still a step forward.

If you didn’t quite get to a goal or two, that’s ok.  Sometimes goals take time.  Consider whether you want to let it to go, or carry it on to the next year.  

11. What do I want to focus on in the year ahead?

After you’ve reflected on the past year, you can set the stage for a fresh start.  

What areas would you like to focus on in the coming year?  You might like to improve your health, nurture particular relationships, or embrace a new challenge.  What excites you?  What will help you get closer to who and where you would like to be?

Knowing who and where you would like to be helps clarify where to go, and how to get there.  Clarity is key.

12. How will I show kindness to myself?

As you look back, remember to be gentle with yourself.  

Remember that life always has ups and downs, and you can learn from them, and use that wisdom to move forward.

You’ve done your best (keeping in mind that your best can vary day to day), and you deserve kindness and care as you step into a new year.

A Gentle Reminder

This isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.  

Reflecting isn’t meant to be a chore — it’s a gift to yourself.

Be kind to yourself as you explore these questions, and remember that every step you take matters.

Bonus Tip — Write It Down

Grab a journal, or a piece of paper, and write down your answers.  Writing helps you process your thoughts, and creates a keepsake you can revisit in the future.

Reflection doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming.  Even just a few minutes spent answering these questions can shift your perspective, and set the tone for a fresh start.  This is your chance to wrap up the year with gratitude and growth, making space for all the wonderful opportunities ahead.

Here’s to living your Best Life in the year to come — one filled with purpose, love, and joy!

Share the Love!

If this reflection process helped you, share it with a friend or loved one!  Reflection is even better when we do it together.  You can also share your insights on social media — tag us on Facebook at Your Best Life Academy and use #EndOfYearReflection so we can celebrate your journey!

Here’s to closing this year with gratitude, and stepping into the new one with purpose, love, and joy.  You’ve got this!

If this blog inspired you to do some soul-searching, you might be interested in our free course, The Values Code: Unlocking Your Best Self, which can help you explore your inner values and beliefs, so you can consciously make decisions based on your values.  It’s the perfect way to kickstart your new year!

If you feel you could benefit on having a more positive mindset, you might like our Positive Mindset Mastery to Live Your Best Life.  This bundle provides you with lots of tools on improving your mindset, which in turn can help you live your Best Life.

Wishing you a year full of possibilities,
Your Best Life Academy

FAQ - End-of-Year Reflection

Why is end-of-year reflection important?

End-of-year reflection helps you appreciate your journey, recognize your achievements, and identify areas for growth.  It provides clarity, and sets a positive tone for the year ahead.

How much time should I spend on these questions?

You can spend as little as 10 minutes, or dedicate more time if you wish.  The goal is to make it meaningful, without feeling overwhelming.

Do I need to answer all 10 questions?

No, feel free to focus on the questions that resonate most with you.  Even answering a few can be impactful.

What should I do with my reflections?

Writing your answers down in a journal or notebook helps you process your thoughts, and creates a keepsake to revisit in the future.

Can I do this with family or friends?

Absolutely!  Reflecting together can be a wonderful way to connect, and share insights.

What if I didn’t achieve much this year?

Focus on what you did learn, and how you grew as a person.  Small wins and lessons are just as valuable as big achievements.  It’s all progress toward becoming who you want to be.

How can I use this reflection to plan for next year?

Your answers can guide your goals, highlight habits to continue, and inspire positive changes for the upcoming year.

Is it okay if some answers are difficult to write?

Yes, reflecting honestly can sometimes bring up challenges, but it’s part of the growth process.  Be kind to yourself as you reflect.

Can I repeat this process throughout the year?

Definitely!  Reflection isn’t just for the end of the year.  Regular check-ins can help you stay on track, and appreciate your progress.

How can I make this a tradition?

Choose a specific day each year, like New Year’s Eve, or a quiet day in December, and make it a yearly ritual to pause, reflect, and celebrate your journey.