End-of-the-Year Reflection Questions Before 2025: What Worked & What Didn’t

The end of the year always feels like an unstoppable whirlwind. The end of 2024 will likely be a sprint of family commitments, creative projects, and business responsibilities—all vying for our precious, limited time. If you’re like most women running their own businesses while balancing everything else life throws at you, it can feel like there’s barely a moment to breathe—let alone sit quietly and reflect. But reflection is key to making meaningful change and getting what you want out of life—both professionally and personally. Don’t worry, this article isn’t about tallying wins and losses with judgment or pressure. Instead, we’re offering you an opportunity to approach self-reflection with kindness and curiosity. Together, we’ll work through the end-of-the-year reflection questions—celebrating what worked, recognizing what didn’t, and setting meaningful intentions for the upcoming year. Consider this your permission slip to slow down, take stock, and create space for your personal growth and future success. Let’s get into it!

Why Reflection Matters More Than Ever

Reflection is such a valuable tool for growth—both in your professional life and your personal life. At the end of the year, carving out time to look back at what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ve learned can feel like a luxury—but it’s absolutely essential.

Think of it like redecorating a room: you wouldn’t slap on a new coat of paint without first taking stock of the layout, lighting, and flow of the space. The same is true for your business and life. Reflection allows you to recognize your strengths and lessons while identifying where tweaks are needed to design the life you truly want.

This practice is also about mental health and balance. The past year has probably been a blur of deadlines, family commitments, and creative projects. Taking a step back to reflect isn’t just about listing your achievements. You need to actually review your mindset and habits to ensure you’re aligned with your core values. Reflection gives us a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come and plan how to move forward without burnout.

Let’s Get Started: Reflecting on 2024 from a Business Perspective

Celebrating the Wins: Pinpointing What Worked This Year

It’s so easy to skip over the moments we’re proud of because we’re already thinking about what’s next. But before diving into the upcoming year, take a moment to reflect on what you accomplished this last year.

Did you finally land that dream client? Try a bold new idea that paid off? Celebrate these wins—big and small. This isn’t about bragging; it’s about acknowledging your progress and giving yourself credit for the hard work that made it happen.

Consider not just achievements but also the valuable relationships, skills, and systems that supported you. What moments brought you joy? What habits made life feel a little smoother? These wins are the foundation for everything you’ll build in the new year.

Actionable Tip

Create a “win jar” where you jot down victories—however small—as they happen. It’s a fun way to revisit your progress on tough days and stay motivated.

Identifying What Needs Improvement

Reflecting on challenges isn’t about being hard on yourself; it’s about learning and moving forward. What was your single biggest time waster this year? Maybe it was saying “yes” to too many projects or not setting clear boundaries with clients or family.

Recognizing these areas isn’t a sign of failure—it’s an opportunity for growth. Start by asking yourself what happened this year that didn’t align with your values. What felt harder than it should have? Where did you feel stretched too thin?

The most challenging part of growth is accepting that we can’t do it all. Instead of trying to overhaul everything, focus on one area to improve. Maybe you’ll refine your systems, seek more support, or practice saying “no.”

Actionable Tip

As you work through your end of year reflection, choose one challenge to tackle next year, and give yourself permission to approach it with self-reflection and curiosity instead of pressure.

Reflecting on Your Personal Life: Balancing Family, Creativity, and You

It’s easy for family time and personal well-being to take a back seat when you’re running a business. But let’s be real: your personal growth is just as important as your professional life. You are still a person, after all!

How Did You Support Yourself and Your Loved Ones This Year?

How did you show up for the people who matter most this year? What were the most valuable relationships in your life? Think back to moments that felt meaningful—like family dinners, deep conversations with friends, or even quiet rest days where you recharged.

Don’t forget to recognize how you showed up for yourself, too. Did you prioritize your mental health or take time for hobbies that bring you joy? Balancing creativity, business, and life is a constant dance, but you deserve to carve out space for yourself.

Actionable Tip

Pick one way to prioritize your well-being next year. Whether it’s scheduling solo walks or finally saying “no” to draining commitments, make yourself part of the equation.

Setting Intentions for 2025

Unlike resolutions, which can feel rigid and overwhelming, intentions are more about gentle shifts that align with your core values. Instead of setting hardline goals, ask yourself: What would I like to create or achieve in the upcoming year? Maybe you want to spend more time with family, take on more fulfilling projects, or push your creative boundaries. The beauty of intentions is their flexibility—they adapt as you grow.

Start with three words that embody what you want your year to look like. Maybe it’s “balance, joy, progress” or “creativity, connection, rest.” These words will be your touchstones when challenges arise, helping you stay focused on what matters.

15 Reflection Questions to Ask Yourself Before the New Year

Reflection questions can help you focus on what truly mattered in the last year while setting the stage for the upcoming year. Take your time with these and let your answers guide you as you reflect on both your personal and professional life.

Business Wins and Lessons

• What project or client brought you the most joy this year? What was the most enjoyable part of that project or interaction?
• What new skills or tools did you add to your repertoire, and how did they benefit your work?
• What was the single biggest time waster in your business, and how can you improve it?
• What was your biggest challenge at work, and what did you learn from it?

Time and Energy Management

• Where did you spend your time this year that felt truly worth it?
• What’s one task, project, or responsibility you could outsource, automate, or let go of next year?
• How did you balance the demands of your professional life with your personal growth?

Personal Life and Well-Being

• What activities or rituals recharged you the most?
• How did you care for your mental health, and what can you do to maintain or improve it next year?
• What boundaries did you set this year, and how well did they work for you?

Creative Growth

• How did you push yourself outside of your comfort zone creatively?
• What inspired you most this year, and how can you invite more of that into your life?

Family and Relationships

• How did you nurture the most valuable relationships in your life?
• What moments with family or friends stand out as truly meaningful?
• How can you better support the people who matter most to you in the future?

Take these questions slowly—maybe one per day for a couple of weeks. If you want, write them as journal entries on DesignDash so you always have them to look back on.

Turning Reflections into Action

Reflection is powerful, but it’s only the beginning. The next step is turning your insights into an action plan for the new year. Start by identifying three themes—one for your business, one for your personal growth, and one for your creative development. These themes will act as your compass, keeping you aligned as challenges arise.

To stay accountable, schedule a mid-year review to revisit your reflections and adjust as needed. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. Flexibility is key.

Tools for Reflecting and Planning

Tools like journals, apps, or vision boards can make the process of self-reflection more intentional. For example, apps like Day One or Trello can help you capture thoughts, track progress, and set actionable goals. Or you could create a Pinterest board to visualize your future dreams and plans.

Monthly check-ins can also help you maintain focus and avoid burnout. Whether it’s 30 minutes with a journal or a coffee date with an accountability partner, these small moments can keep your mindset on track.

Actionable Tip

Block out time at the beginning of each month to revisit your reflections and adjust your plans.

Final Thoughts: Please Give Yourself Permission to Rest

As you wrap up your reflections, remember to let yourself rest. The world might brand resting as “lazy,” but this is the quiet space where creativity flourishes, insights deepen, and energy is restored. You’ve done so much this past year, and taking the time to pause and recharge is a powerful act of self-care. Rest is where growth begins, where ideas are born, and where you prepare to step into the upcoming year with renewed focus and purpose.

As you reflect on your wins, challenges, and dreams, we encourage you to offer yourself compassion and kindness—just as you would a friend. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. Allow yourself to celebrate, rest, and hope for what’s ahead.