Making Space for Fresh Starts
That quiet week between Christmas and New Year's feels like a gift, doesn't it? Everyone's off from school and work, and suddenly we have this bonus time we don't quite know what to do with. I love using these moments to prepare for what I call the Super Bowl of all fresh starts—a brand new year.
I believe deeply in the power of ritual. A ritual is a practice that invites you back without judgment, no matter what your life looks like. It brings you to your center and reconnects you with what you value most. That's why I take a few days each year to pause and reflect with intention.
Sometimes you have to look back to plan ahead. When you're honest about what worked and what didn't, you can take a path that gets you closer to where you want to go next year. This process isn't about shame or guilt—it's about learning and growing with grace.
What Worked for You This Year
As women, we're socialized to downplay our accomplishments. When someone compliments us, we brush it off. When we nail a big presentation, we point to everyone who helped. I understand why we do this—we don't want to seem braggy. But it's time to set that aside for a moment.
Think about what worked for you this year. What brought you less stress and more joy? Did things finally feel more balanced at home and at work? Did you build up that emergency fund? Make a new friend or strengthen an existing relationship? Start your morning in a new way that fed your soul?
Now think about why those things worked. Did you put systems in place? Say no to something so you could say yes to this goal? Use a tool or resource that made it happen? Most of the time, success happens because you did something different—your hard work met opportunity at just the right time. Give yourself credit where it's due.
What Didn't Work (And What You Learned)
Now for the harder part: what didn't work this year? We've all gone out on a limb only to watch it blow up in our faces. But here's the thing—what did you learn from those hard moments?
Try to think about it the way a scientist would. Step back from the situation. Picture yourself observing it through a glass window rather than being completely attached to it. Is there something you're proud of in how you moved through that hard thing? Is there something you'd do differently next time?
Sometimes life is hard because something needs to change. A new season demands that you stretch and do something different. It's like when you need to go up a pant size—you've done nothing wrong, you just need new pants. The way you're doing life doesn't fit anymore, and that's okay. Give yourself the gift of grace.
Building Your Planner Routine for the Year Ahead
As you reflect on what made your year, think about the little things that surprised you and the moments with your people you'll cherish most. There's so much joy we can find when we take time to see it.
This reflection work naturally leads into staying organized as a busy mom in the coming year. When you understand what worked and what didn't, you can build better systems. A solid planner routine helps you honor what matters most while letting go of what doesn't serve you.
Consider implementing weekly planning sessions where you review what's ahead and make intentional choices about your time. Write down what brought you joy this past year—these insights will guide your priorities moving forward.
Remember: you're allowed to keep learning. You're allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to be a mess, and you can still be proud of the person you're becoming. That's the beautiful thing about fresh starts—they're always available to us, especially when we pause long enough to reflect.
