3 tools to reflect and close out 2025

It’s T-minus 17 days to 2026.

So, I’m sharing a care package of a few ways to invite in reflection and seal in 2025 and carry some learning and goals into 2026.

1. Go Down Memory Lane with your photos

Scrolling your phone can be a mindless activity, but what if you pulled out your phone to take a walk down memory lane of 2025 and notice:

-Who are the people, places, activities that you connected with this year?

-Is there a relationship, activity or type of photograph that was particularly common in your year?

-Is there someone or something you see once or twice in your album that you wish you had had more time with (or perhaps someone or something that appears a lot that you wish you’d dedicated less time to/with)?

That’s a launch point for questions. I invite you to get creative with how you “frame” your walk down your album.

Approach your photo album as a treasure trove of data of how your year went. Perhaps photos were staged, but you know the true unfiltered colors of what’s behind those photos.

2. Pull out the agenda/digital calendar

Opening up your physical planner or digital calendar can help you see how you actually spent your time. As you go through you, notice:

-How often did you cultivate time to renew your spirits? What activities did you actually do to renew your spirits?

-Who were the top 5 people you qualitatively spent time with? What was that company like in a quantitative, heartfelt way?

-What would not have happened this past year if you hadn’t planned it? What would have not have happened this past year because it wasn’t planned?

That’s a starting point for questions. You know your life best. Use these questions or notice your inner voice calling you ask to ask something else. Your stroll through your planner might spark some a-ha’s.

Approach your planner as an opportunity to see how you spent your time not just in the number of minutes, but how those moments impacted your year. Perhaps you’ll get more in tune with the habits and activities that filled you up and what perhaps you want to plan (or not!) in the coming year.

3. Get your dance party on

Stepping into your story through movement can help you feel into your year.

Cue up songs, perhaps from your your Youtube history or Spotify and dance them out. Movement and song can evoke memories.

-What moments from the year do they evoke in you?

-How did those songs carry you through 2025?

After dancing to the songs, reflect through doodling or journaling about the music. It might help to unlock some nuggets of goodness that seal in this past year and support you in charting where you are headed in the coming year.

I’d love to hear how you take these tools or perhaps remix them to support you in your reflection as you close out what’s been another trip around the sun. Like any journey around the sun, there are seasons, so may you hold yourself with grace.

Wheels up,

Ellen