Posted December 15th, 2025

As the year begins to wind down, it’s natural to critique what has been done, what hasn’t, and what still feels unfinished. For many, this reflection can bring a mix of emotions, such as gratitude, disappointment, hope, and fatigue. If you’re feeling any of these, you’re not alone. The closing months of the year are not about perfection or catching up. They are an invitation to be present and to work gently with what you have right now.
No matter how challenging this year has been, there is still good unfolding in small, quiet ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as a deep breath, a moment of calm, or the fact that you made it through another day. These moments matter. When we slow down enough to notice what is going well, even if it feels minor, we give our minds permission to rest and reset.
Being present doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties. It means acknowledging them while also allowing space for what is steady, supportive, or meaningful. You may be navigating stress, loss, uncertainty, or change. At the same time, there may be connection, resilience, learning, or strength quietly growing alongside those challenges. Both can exist at once.
This time of year can be a powerful reminder that everything is temporary. The stress you’re carrying, the uncertainty you feel, the heaviness you may be sitting with is merely a moment, not a permanent state. This too shall pass. When we remember that nothing stays the same forever, we can soften our grip and approach life with more patience and compassion for ourselves.
Resourcefulness becomes especially important now. You don’t need more time, more energy, or perfect circumstances to find meaning in today. Use what is already available to you: your breath, your perspective, your ability to pause and choose where your attention goes. Even in hard seasons, there is often something positive to anchor to - a supportive person, a routine, a lesson learned, or a quiet moment of peace.
Finding the positive does not mean forcing optimism. It means intentionally looking for what is real and nourishing. When you acknowledge one good thing in your day, you shift how the rest of that day unfolds. That shift can ripple outward into your week, and into the remainder of the year. Small moments of gratitude and presence add up in powerful ways.
And as the year continues, give yourself permission to let go of pressure. You don’t have to “fix” everything before the calendar changes. Instead, focus on soaking in what is good right now. Let it ground you. Let it remind you that you are still here, still growing, and still capable of finding meaning....one moment at a time.
The rest of the year doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, simply being present and noticing the good is more than enough.