It’s that time of the year again when we anticipate a new starting point. In times like this, there are a lot of looking backs, wishes and a hopes for a better future.
Welcome to the season of reflections! Before we step into 2026, let’s us take a moment off our schedule to reflect on life, or decisions, actions and inactions this year.
It’s a good thing that the rave about resolutions slowed down through the years. Most of us made resolutions just for the sake of it, and never looked back after. Instead of jumping on what you will do in the new year, first take a moment to look back and review the year so far!
Before you start reflecting on this year, remember that you are not doing this to beat yourself up for what you didn’t do! You are only getting real with where you are so you can map out where you want to go. The questions below will help you dig deep, spot patterns, and set yourself up for a genuinely better 2026. Let’s not pretend it’s easy, but it’s worth it.
What Made You Proud This Year?
Start with the wins. Seriously, don’t skip this part because you think they’re too insignificant to matter.
You finished that course you kept putting off? That counts. You posted consistently on your blog for three months straight? That’s huge. You learned basic video editing or finally set up that email list? Write it down.
We spend so much time obsessing over what went wrong that we forget to celebrate what went right. Looking back at your wins reminds you that you’re capable. It shows you what happens when you actually follow through. Those proud moments are proof that you can do even the difficult things, and you’ll need that proof when 2026 gets rough.
Think beyond big milestones too. Maybe you developed micro habits that changed your daily routine. Perhaps you started drinking water first thing in the morning, or you began outlining content the night before instead of winging it. These wins, the small ones accumulate with time, they deserve recognition because they’re building blocks for bigger success.
Where Did You Waste Time?
Here’s where it gets uncomfortable. You need to identify your time drains. I’m talking about the activities that gave you nothing in return except maybe a brief distraction. Scrolling through social media for hours without any real purpose? Saying yes to projects that didn’t align with your goals? Spending weeks on something that your gut told you wasn’t right?
I wasted a significant, regrettable amount of time on a side project that looked exciting but had no real business plan. I spent a better part of the year building one theme! I ignored the signs because I wanted it to work. That’s over six months I could’ve spent growing my blog, generating actual sales or building new skills. You probably have similar stories.You probably have similar stories. Don’t be too hard yourself, just notice the pattern.
Once you see where your time went, you can protect it better next year. Maybe you need to batch your content creation instead of doing it randomly. Maybe you need to set screen time limits or use website blockers during your peak productivity hours. The goal is awareness not perfection. When you know your weak spots, you can build systems around them.
What Micro Habits Supported or Sabotaged You?
Your daily routines shape your yearly results. That’s just facts. The micro habits you barely notice are either moving you forward or holding you back. Did you start every work session by checking emails and lose your creative energy? Did you stay up late binge-watching shows and wake up too tired to create?
On the flip side, what small behaviors actually helped? Maybe you started keeping a running list of content ideas in your phone. Maybe you began reading for 15 minutes before bed instead of scrolling. Maybe you scheduled one hour every Sunday to plan your week. These little practices might seem insignificant day to day, but over 365 days they create massive change.
Look at your micro habits honestly. Which ones need to stay, and which ones need to go?
Who Influenced Your Growth?
Think about the people who shaped your year. Not just mentors or famous creators you follow online, but friends, family members, or even strangers who said something that stuck with you. Who challenged and encouraged you to think differently? Who did not stop believing in you even when you doubted yourself?
Now flip the question. Who drained your energy or pulled you backward? Sometimes we keep people in our lives out of obligation when they’re vigorously working against our progress. You don’t need to cut everyone off, but you do need to notice who leaves you feeling depleted versus energized. Protect your circle in 2026. Your growth depends on it.
What Skills Do You Need to Develop?
Be specific here. Don’t just say “I need to get better at social media.” What part of social media? Video editing? Writing captions that convert? Understanding analytics? Nailing down exactly what you need to learn helps you find the right resources and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Look at what held you back this year. Did you lose opportunities because you couldn’t do something? Maybe you wanted to start a YouTube channel but didn’t know how to edit videos. Maybe you wanted to sell digital products but couldn’t figure out the tech setup. Those gaps are your roadmap for learning in 2026.
I’m working on improving my email marketing skills because I know that’s where I’m weakest. I can create content all day, but turning subscribers into engaged readers? That’s my challenge. Identifying this gap means I can find courses, read books, or join communities specifically about email strategy. You can do the same once you name your skills gap clearly.
What Financial Lessons Did You Learn?
Money talk makes people uncomfortable, but you need to face it. How did you handle finances this year? Did you invest in tools or courses that paid off? Did you waste money on things that seemed helpful but weren’t? Did you undercharge for your services because you self-sabotaged?
Track what you spent on your creative business or side hustle. Software subscriptions, stock photos, courses, coaching, equipment, everything. Then ask yourself what gave you real returns and what didn’t. That $30 monthly tool you forgot you were paying for? Cancel it. That course you bought but never opened? Either commit to it or let it go.
Building better financial micro habits can change your whole business. Maybe you need to review expenses monthly instead of never. Maybe you need to raise your prices because you’ve been undervaluing your work. Maybe you need to start putting away a percentage of every payment for taxes. Small money habits prevent big money problems later.
How Did You Handle Failure and Setbacks?
Everyone fails. The question is what you did with it. Did you quit at the first sign of trouble? Did you spiral into self-doubt for weeks? Or did you adjust your approach and try again? Your response to failure tells you a lot about what needs to work on internally.
I built a WordPress theme shop but that had slow sales through the year. I told myself that I had no right to feel bad – the product itself was fine but my marketing wasn’t. I didn’t build anticipation, I didn’t show the value clearly, and I launched to a cold audience. Those are fixable problems, not personal failures.
Look at your setbacks from this year with curiosity instead of judgment. What can you learn from them? How can you do it differently next time? We have to build resilience and get better at bouncing back from failure not avoiding it. That’s a skill you develop through practice, and every setback is practice.
What Boundaries Did You Keep or Break?
Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to other people. They’re also about saying no to yourself. Did you stick to your work hours, or did you let everything bleed together? Did you take breaks, or did you push until you burned out? Did you protect your creative time, or did you let every little interruption derail you?
I’m terrible at this. I’ll tell myself I’m done working for the day or staring at my screen, then something hits me and I spend even more time glued to my screen. We all know the negative effect of prolonged screen time, but time has made me a necessary evil. In 2026, I would have to build a stronger mindset around my time. Work happens during work hours, rest happens during rest hours. I must stop letting social media consume so much of my time!
Think about the times when you upheld your boundaries and when you did not. Maybe you let clients contact you at all hours. Maybe you said yes to every collaboration request even when you were already overwhelmed. Maybe you scrolled on your phone when you promised yourself you’d read or rest. Noticing these patterns helps you set better boundaries moving forward.
What Content or Projects Actually Resonated?
Look at your analytics, comments, messages, or whatever feedback you got this year. What content got the most engagement? What projects made people reach out and say “this helped me”? Those are clues about what you should do more of in 2026.
Sometimes what we think will perform well doesn’t, and what we toss off casually becomes our biggest hit.
Don’t just chase numbers though. Also ask what felt good to create. What projects made you excited to work on them? Where did you feel most like yourself? The sweet spot is content that resonates with your audience and energizes you. When you find that overlap, double down on it.
How Well Did You Take Care of Yourself?
This matters more than you probably want to admit. You can’t create consistently if you’re running on empty. How was your sleep this year? Your eating? Your movement? Your mental health? Did you ignore warning signs until you crashed, or did you catch yourself early and rest?
I’ve learned that my creativity tanks when I’m not taking care of my body. When I’m sleeping four hours a night, my creativity suffers. When I’m not moving my body at all, my brain gets foggy. These aren’t separate from your work, they’re foundational to it. You need energy to create, and energy comes from basic self-care.
Build micro habits around self-care into your 2026 plan. Maybe that’s a 10-minute walk after lunch. Maybe it’s a proper bedtime routine instead of working until you collapse. Maybe it means actually taking your time off or fully enjoying your weekends. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s strategic. You’re your most important business asset.
What Do You Want to Feel More of in 2026?
Forget goals for a second and think about feelings. How do you want to feel as you move through your days next year? More confident? More peaceful? More excited? More connected? Identifying the feeling helps you make decisions that support it.
If you want to feel more confident, you might focus on developing skills and celebrating even the smallest wins. If you want to feel more peaceful, you might need to cut back on commitments and build in more white space. If you want to feel more connected, you might prioritize community and collaboration over solo work.
I want to feel more grounded in 2026. That means less rushing, less saying yes to everything, less living in constant reaction mode. It means building routines that anchor me and being selective about where I put my attention. What you want to feel should guide what you choose to do. Let emotion lead strategy for once.
Moving Into 2026 With Clarity
You’ve done the hard work of looking back. You have reflected, documented and now you can look forward with helpful pieces of information instead of just hope. You know what worked, what didn’t, and what you need to change. Your intentionality is all that matters now. Most people will jump into January with the same old behaviour and patterns then wonder why nothing changes.
Not you though. You’re taking what you learned and building something better. You’re identifying the tiny habits that need to stick and the ones that need to go. You’re getting clear on your priorities and protecting them. You’re setting yourself up to grow instead of just survive.
2026 can be your best year yet, but only if you’re intentional about it. Use these reflection questions not just once but regularly. Keep asking yourself the hard questions and being honest with the answers. That’s how amateurs become pros. That’s how you win.
