As we head towards the end of the year I’m always in reflection mode. I’ve always loved the space between Christmas and New Year, that slower, quieter stretch where nothing new has started yet, but the old year hasn’t quite closed either. It’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and take stock, but I’m actually starting it even earlier and am already thinking on my reflection questions, so I wanted to share them with you too.
This process is something I have done for many years now. It not only helps me to feel inspired and excited for the year ahead but also helps to keep me grounded in gratitude and appreciation for even the smallest things in life.
Reflection work is not about being harsh or self‑critical way, but it’s just data, information that can help you grow but also come to appreciate yourself and the little life you are building for yourself, and I heave learned that clarity creates more calm in my life, and boy knows I always need more calm.
When you know what actually worked, what drained you, and what mattered most, setting goals for the new year feels far less overwhelming.
So I wanted to share the end of year journal prompts what I will be using and come back to year after year. These are the same prompts I’ll be using inside the Inspired Stories Planner (** this is an affiliate link. This means I may make a small comission should you purchase at no extra cost to you. These are beautiful planners that have everything I need to help keep my life a little more like I have my shit together use code ECN10 to get 10% off your order), and they form the backbone of a really powerful end‑of‑year review.
If you’re someone who wants to move into the new year feeling intentional rather than reactive, this is for you.
Why End‑of‑Year Reflection Actually Matters
We’re very good at rushing ahead to goals.
New workouts. New routines. New plans.
But without reflection, we often:
- Repeat the same patterns
- Set goals that don’t fit our real life
- Chase outcomes that don’t actually make us happier
- Make plans that are unattanable in our busy lives
Reflection helps you:
- Celebrate progress you might otherwise dismiss
- Spot what’s not working (before carrying it into another year)
- Set goals that support your energy, health, and lifestyle — not just your willpower
And no, this doesn’t need to be hours of journaling. Even answering a few thoughtful questions can shift everything.
Section 1: Celebrating the Year You’ve Just Lived
Before looking at what you want next, it’s important to acknowledge what’s already happened. You don’t have to force this, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask yourself these questions one at a time and see what comes to your mind
Reflection Questions:
• What were your 3 biggest wins or achievements this year?
These don’t need to be huge milestones. Small, consistent changes count. Showing up counts. Staying committed during a hard season definitely counts.
• What were your biggest challenges this year?
Not to dwell, but to gain some understanding. Challenges often highlight boundaries, limits, or areas that need more support.
• What life lessons did this year teach you?
This is one of my favourite questions. There’s always a lesson hiding inside the hard bits. It’s the hard parts of life that really shape who you are. So acknowledge them as the lessons they are.
• What were your biggest work or career lessons?
What did you learn about your time, energy, boundaries, passions or priorities?
• What moments do you want to remember from this year?
Big or small. Often it’s the quiet moments that matter most.
Section 2: Self‑Awareness & Personal Growth
This part of reflection is less about doing and more about being.
Reflection Questions:
• What new things did you discover about yourself this year?
How did you grow? What surprised you?
• What new habits did you build — and which ones genuinely improved your life?
This is important. Not all habits are equal. Which ones actually moved the needle?
• Who or what are you most grateful for this year?
Gratitude has a way of grounding us back into what’s already good and remind you of the joy that is all in the actual living.
• What special moments do you want to carry forward with you?
These moments often give clues about what you need more of next year.
Section 3: Using a Life Wheel to Check Your Balance
One of my favourite tools for reflection is a Life Wheel — and it’s something I use every single year.
The idea is simple: you rate different areas of your life on a scale of 1–10 and see, visually, where things feel full and where they feel depleted.
Areas to Reflect On:
- Health & Self‑Care
- Physical Environment
- Career & Business
- Finances
- Family & Friends
- Love & Relationships
- Fun & Recreation
- Personal Growth & Learning
Reflection Questions:
• Where do you feel most satisfied right now?
These are your anchors — protect them.
• Where do you feel stretched, depleted, or out of balance?
This isn’t a failure. It’s information.
• What one small change could improve your lowest‑scoring area?
You don’t need a full life overhaul. Small shifts done consistently are powerful.
Section 4: Looking Ahead (Without Overwhelm)
Only once you’ve reflected do I recommend moving into goal‑setting.
Not “What should I do next year?”
But:
Gentle Forward‑Looking Questions:
- What do I want more of next year?
- What do I want less of?
- What am I ready to let go of?
- How do I want to feel by this time next year?
These questions tend to create far better goals than pressure‑based resolutions.
The Planner I’m Using This Year
This year, I’m using the Inspired Stories Planner to guide my end‑of‑year reflection and planning for the year ahead. I love it because it’s structured but not rigid — it asks the right questions without feeling overwhelming or prescriptive. I bought the filofax version last year, so that I can now just purchase the infills each year. It’s a beautiful planner that has all the sections that I need and have used for many years.
👉 You can find the planner here CLICK HERE and I managed to bag you a discount. You can use code ECN10 to get 10% off your order
(As always, if you choose to purchase through my link, it supports my work at no extra cost to you, thank you, your support means the world.)
Final Thoughts
Reflection isn’t about perfection. The perfect answer or the neatest handwriting. Mine is often scruffy, but with that is raw honesty and authenticity, it’s about allowing myself to be all of me and just getting to know that person I am and also uncovering more of who I want to become.
It’s about honesty. Awareness. And giving yourself credit for everything you carried, navigated, and learned this year.
If you do one thing before the new year begins, let it be this: pause long enough to recognise how far you’ve already come.
And if you’re reflecting along with me, I’d love to know — what question hit home the most for you this year?
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