The turn of the year: a perfect moment to celebrate your progress

By: Theo Visser

#Inspiration  

The final days of the year have a certain magic to them. Outside, darkness falls early, candles are lit, calendars slowly begin to empty. And once you’ve settled into a quieter rhythm, space opens up for reflection: a moment to look back and take stock of the year that’s passed.

By nature, we tend to focus on what didn’t work out. On all those good intentions that quietly faded away. This year, the invitation is to do things differently — and to pause, above all, at what did work. What went better than last year. In other words: what progress did you make? Not only does this create a sense of appreciation, it also sparks curiosity, direction and energy for the year ahead.

Looking back through the lens of progress

When you reflect with a focus on progress, your attention shifts from shortcomings to forward movement. You notice where you’ve taken steps — and that feels surprisingly light and hopeful. Take a moment to think back on the past year.

• Which situations feel easier now than they did twelve months ago?

• Where have you become more skilful, more patient, braver or wiser?

• Which difficult moments did you get through anyway — and what helped you in those moments?

This is not about big, heroic achievements. The small steps are often far more interesting. That one conversation you had even though you were hesitant. The time you tried something new. The moment you were just a little less hard on yourself. All those micro-steps together form a movement: your progress.

Active reflection: your contribution to progress

This is where reflection deepens further: active reflection. This means not only noticing what improved, but also how you contributed to that improvement.

• Which choices, efforts, habits or attitudes helped?

• In which moments did you give yourself a small nudge — even if it was only a very gentle one?

Maybe you kept going when you actually wanted to stop.
Maybe you asked a question that opened a door.
Maybe you allowed yourself a bit more rest — or took a step forward instead.

By consciously acknowledging the role you played, you strengthen your sense of competence. And the beauty of it is this: what you influenced this year, you can influence again next year. Active reflection makes progress repeatable.

And then… looking ahead

The turn of the year is not only a closing chapter, but also an invitation. These questions help you step into the new year with intention:

• Which ambitions are beginning to stir, quietly?

• What kind of progress would you like to see in the coming year?

• What feels small, doable and meaningful as a first step?

Rather than carving your wishes into marble resolutions, think in terms of direction and steps. A progress-oriented question that can help is:
“When I look back at the end of next year, what progress would I like to see — and what small step could I already take tomorrow to move in that direction?”

The answer doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as the intention feels right.

A gentle start to a new year

The turn of the year is not a hard reset, but a kind and reflective moment. A chance to see yourself in motion: how you’ve grown, the contribution you’ve made, and where you would like to move towards with energy and joy.

Wishing you a meaningful turn of the year.