As the year begins to wind down, winter naturally invites us to slow our pace. The days shorten, the air sharpens, and nature contracts. It is often the moment when the year’s busyness catches up with us, a gentle reminder to pause, take stock, and look back before moving forward.
Reflection is not about overthinking or judging what has gone before. It is about noticing what is working, what has shifted, and what you may want to approach differently next time.
Why Reflection Matters
In a world that rewards constant activity, pausing can feel unfamiliar. Yet reflection is one of the most effective ways to reset. It helps us make sense of our experiences, spot patterns, and make conscious choices about what comes next.
Research shows that taking time to reflect, even for a few minutes a day, can support focus, creativity, and memory. It nudges us out of autopilot and back into awareness. Without it, we risk drifting, reacting instead of choosing.
It is a simple idea: if you do not make time to pause, your body or mind will eventually do it for you, and rarely at a convenient moment.
Taking Stock of the Year
At this point in the year, many of us feel both tired and reflective. We think about what has gone well, what has been difficult, and where our energy has been spent. Appraisals, reviews, and planning conversations all encourage us to look back, but personal reflection can do the same in a gentler, more grounded way.
Try asking yourself:
● What has changed in my life since January
● What am I proud of
● Which moments made me feel calm, alive, or joyful
● What do I want to welcome more of next year
You do not need to write pages. Sometimes the question alone is enough to shift perspective.
The Backward Step
There is a reason reflection feels like stepping back, because sometimes that is exactly what helps. Interestingly, research shows that walking backward can boost focus and memory by engaging different parts of the brain.
It is a reminder that progress does not always come from pushing forward. Occasionally we need to pause, step back, and understand where we have been before deciding where we want to go.
Nature Knows How To Do This
This year has been a mast year, a time when trees produce an unusually large number of seeds and fruit. It is nature’s way of preparing for the future. After abundance often comes rest.
You may notice something similar in your own life. Perhaps this was a year of output, full of projects, plans, and effort. Or perhaps it was a quieter year, more about regrouping. Either way, this season encourages restoration.
Nature right now is not polished or perfect. It is wild, shifting, and unhurried. It reminds us that we do not have to hold everything together at all times. Growth moves in cycles.
A Simple Reflection Exercise
Scroll through your photos from this year, January to now. Choose three that feel meaningful. Moments of joy, calm, or pride.
Ask yourself:
● Why these moments
● What connects them
● How can I create more moments like this next year
Reflecting on our best moments helps us recognise what truly matters.
My Recommendations This Month
Read: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Buy: Self Reflection Journal from The School of Life
Listen: Returning To Myself by Brandi Carlile
Do: Try taking a few backward steps on your next walk
Watch: Wild (2014, Reese Witherspoon)
