Before we rush into goals, plans, or reinvention, there’s real value in pausing to reflect on the year we’ve just lived. Reflection helps us integrate what mattered, what changed us, and what we’re ready to carry forward — rather than starting the new year disconnected from ourselves.
These questions (originally from @the.love.therapist) were helpful in my own journaling, so I’m sharing them here. If you try these, take your time. There’s no right answer.
Individual Reflection Questions
- What are your three favorite memories from this year?
- What relationships brought you the most fulfillment?
- Who supported you, and how did their support impact you?
- How did you show up for others this year?
- What experiences expanded your perspective or shifted your mindset?
- What did this year teach you about yourself? What lessons did you learn?
- What stressed you out the most, and how did you cope with it?
- What challenge did you overcome?
- What are you most proud of yourself for this year?
- How did you practice self-care?
- What habits or practices did you change or create?
- What did you want to do but didn’t, and what got in the way?
- What do you want to forgive yourself or others for?
- What skills did you acquire or improve upon?
- What are you ready to release as this year closes?
- What do you want to practice more of next year?
- What are your goals and intentions for next year?
- Who are you becoming, and how does that version of you live, love, or choose differently?
Couples Reflection Questions
- What are our two favorite memories together from this year?
- When did we feel most connected?
- When did we feel most like a team?
- What did we navigate or survive together?
- What were our biggest relationship challenges this year?
- How did we respond to those challenges, as individuals and as a couple?
- How did we grow closer, and where did we feel distance?
- What patterns showed up between us this year? What do those patterns seem to be protecting or asking for?
- How did we handle conflict this year? What worked? What didn’t?
- When did we repair well?
- How did we show care, support, or love to one another?
- What do we most appreciate about each other this year?
- What are we holding onto that we don’t want to take forward (resentments, etc.)?
- How did we grow as individuals within this relationship?
- What did this year teach us about our needs, limits, or desires?
- What do we want to experiment with or do differently together next year?
- What support do we each need to give and receive more clearly?
- What is one relationship goal or intention for this next year?
Take your time with these. You might choose just a few that speak to you, or work through them all over the course of a week. The goal isn’t to get through them quickly — it’s to pause, feel, and honour the year you’ve lived before stepping into the next one.
Love, Jen 🪷
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Couples therapy with Jenny creates a safe, neutral space for you and your partner to slow down, truly hear each other, and rebuild the intimacy and trust you’ve been missing. Whether you’re in crisis or simply wanting to grow together — support is available.