Here we are again at the end of a year. And while I’m a huge fan of living in the present, sometimes it’s nice to look back. Before January arrives and you wonder where December went, take some time to put a bow on 2024 – wrap it up in a way that helps you usher in 2025 with gratitude, perspective, and a plan. Here are a few ideas for finishing the year on a higher level.

1. Reflect on Everything that Went Well in 2024.

What did you do that was fun? What funny things did your children or grandchildren say? What are you proud of yourself for doing? Did you establish a new habit that is helping you in some way? What would you like to do again next year? Take some time to celebrate a great year.

2. Reflect on What Didn’t Go Well in 2024.

What was hard? What habits would you like to leave behind and not take into 2025? Did you set a goal and not achieve it? If it’s a worthy goal, and you still want to accomplish it, consider trying again. If not, let it go. This is a good time to accept the whole of the year as it was, the good and the bad, and file it away.

3. Clear Your Piles.

We all have piles of stuff we’ve set aside to deal with later. They can be actual piles of stuff on top of desks, in corners, in closets, on top of the freezer in the garage – or they can be digital piles of emails, photos, or notes. Before you add new 2025 stuff to the top of the piles, sort through them and trash, give away, display, or donate the stuff you have collected this year. Notice I didn’t recommend that you get rid of everything. If there are things in the piles you want to keep, use them in some way. Nothing you love should be in a pile.

4. Count Your Money.

In order to make a savings plan and a budget for 2025, you need to know what you spent this year on things like appliance repair, vehicle maintenance, travel, gifts, medical and dental bills, and even groceries. How much do you have in savings and retirement accounts? Which investments did well? It feels great to know your financial situation going into a new year.

5. Connect With Neighbors.

Have a game night, a cookie exchange, or just take each neighbor a small treat. A community is strengthened when the neighbors all know each other.

6. Relax.

Some animals hibernate, and it’s a good idea for humans to follow their example in at least a small way. Curl up in a blanket and watch a holiday movie. Read a book for fun. Take a nap or a relaxing bath. Visit a friend and just talk for a couple hours. You’ll be able to tackle the next project if you’re well rested.

7. Set Some Goals for the New Year.

You’ve evaluated what went well and what didn’t go well this year, so now it’s time to make plans for habit change, travel, saving money, relationships, organization, spiritual growth, and anything else that pops into your mind.

8. After You Look at Your Goals for 2025, Choose a Word that Will Help You Remember Your Goals.

The word CLEAR might help you think about clearing the way to get new carpet, clearing out dresser drawers, being clear in your communications with others, getting clear to the root of a health concern, or working with a coach to get clear on your vision for your business. Use your imagination!

9. Print Out Calendar Pages for Every Month in 2025 and Put All the Important Dates on Them.

Remember birthdays, regular monthly and weekly meetings, holidays, and vacation plans. I also print out planner pages for each month’s bills so I can track when I’ve paid them. You do you and make sure you have a way to keep track of dates and times and your budget the way that works for you.

10. Create or Continue a Tradition for Ending the Old Year and Welcoming the New One. 

This year I’m planning to start a memory jar. I will bring the jar out on New Year’s day and invite my family members to write down favorite memories as they happen throughout 2025 and add them to the jar.  On New Year’s Eve 2025, we will read all the best memories of the year and begin with an empty jar for 2026. 

I hope you can use a few of these ideas to help you end the year with intention, fun, and joyful anticipation for what comes next!

If you want to learn more about what I offer in my coaching programs, you can schedule a free consultation here. I would love to talk with you and help you imagine your much-more-than-satisfactory life, “up” on a higher level.  You can also get my FREE UpPlanner Here