As the year draws to a close and we indulge in celebration and future thinking. It’s important to honour the journey that got us here. Real growth, the kind that reshapes how we think, lead, love, and show up, begins with reflection. Before we step into 2026, this is an opportunity to slow down and look inward with honesty and compassion.
These questions aren’t about perfection or pressure. They’re an invitation to check in with yourself: your emotions, your progress, your relationships and the moments that shaped you this year. They help you notice what mattered, what changed you, where you grew and what you’re still becoming.
So take your time.
Journal if you’d like.
Sit with whatever surfaces.
Let this be your space to reflect, recalibrate, and realign with the version of yourself you want to step into next year.
Here are 26 thoughtful questions to ask yourself before 2026:
What was a defining moment for me this year?
How did I experience growth this year?
Which moment can I remember vividly and why?
Who has been my greatest connection this year?
What am I most proud of overcoming this year?
What emotion showed up most frequently for me?
What habits supported my well-being, and which ones drained it?
What feedback did I receive that truly landed?
How did I show emotional intelligence in challenging moments?
How did I advocate for myself or my career progression?
Who did I encourage, support, or uplift this year?
Which goal did I move closer to, even if just by 1%?
When did I choose courage over comfort?
What conversation changed something for me this year?
What was the most joyful moment of my year?
What experience taught me resilience?
What limiting belief did I begin to release?
When did I truly feel seen or understood?
Did I practice compassion toward myself? When?
What new opportunities opened because I said yes?
What peace-protecting boundaries do I want to carry into 2026?
What kind of impact do I want to make in 2026, and what support do I need to get there?
What word or theme best captures my 2025?
What did I do this year that my future self will thank me for?
What did I avoid that deserves my attention now?
What intention do I want to carry boldly into 2026?
As you sit with these questions, remember that reflection isn’t about judging the year. It’s about understanding it. Every choice, challenge, breakthrough and the moments that have shaped who you are today. By looking back with clarity and compassion, you create space to move forward with purpose.
Let your answers guide you, not pressure you. Let them illuminate what you want to carry into 2026 and what you’re finally ready to leave behind. Growth is rarely loud but rather found in small shifts, honest insights and the courage to choose better each time.
Here’s to stepping into 2026 with emotional intelligence and a deeper connection to yourself. May the year ahead reflect the growth you’ve earned and the glow you continue to build.
