Making time for reflection before the end of the year 

It’s the time of year when we’re coming towards the peak of our annual deadlines, the last of our budgets, and the end of our reserves.

The shorter evenings are really closing in, and the pace seems to be ramping up for Christmas prep at a time when our natural inclination is more towards slowing down.

The day after Halloween, the Christmas ads were on the television and the decorations were in the shops.

The anticipation of an upcoming break from routine only serves to strengthen the anticipatory exhaustion – just bring on the end of December already!

But it’s a marathon rather than a sprint, and as the 99% of us who have never run a marathon can imagine, and the 1% will know all too well, it’s the final miles that really test you.

Now, more than, ever it’s important to think about what metaphorically fills our cups, tops up our reserves – just enough to even be able to walk rather than crawl over the finish line.

Aside from the all-important food, sleep and exercise, there are certain approaches that are a personal preference, and it’s always good to be open to new ways to recharge.

It’s important too to recognise that not everybody gets a break at Christmas – for many, it is actually the busiest time of the year – when others are breathing a sigh of relief.

This makes it all the more important to build in opportunities for rest and reflection, as well as for those who do get the chance to take that seasonal break to acknowledge the work that others are doing for us all – in our healthcare, hospitality and retail settings, keeping everything going.

Try a couple of these ideas to hopefully put a little pep in your step for the weeks ahead.

Progress reflection

The start of the year can feel like so long ago at this stage, and we’ve been possibly blindly going through the motions, so it can be easy to forget how far we’ve come.

Take stock of your achievements great and small, just by grabbing some time with a notepad to brain-dump all the different milestones, or completed projects, or personal growth items onto a page.

This can help to find the momentum required to keep going.

What’s considered to be an achievement is bespoke to you – it could be a job promotion or project delivered, it could be having joined a community programme, taking steps in finding supports for your child, or putting boundaries in place to actually protect some time and do less – for the wellbeing of yourself or your family.

Potential reflection

Although this talk of the wind-down makes it sounds like the year is over – it’s far from it. There’s still potential over the next six weeks to try something new, implement a change, and even see impactful results from it.

What one small thing could you do as a short-term improvement to home or work life that six weeks is ample time for, that could help in your plans for 2025? Use the time to your advantage, in whatever way serves you best.

Make space for joy

Recognising achievements and planning ahead is great to a point – but we must also celebrate and highlight the need for space, rest, and joy – laughter, silliness and connection for connection’s sake.

Spending time in the company of those we love is food for the soul, and permission to do this despite the frenetic pace is the best thing you can do to fill that cup for the busy period ahead. So contact that friend, make that call, get that get-together in the diary. You’ll jump back into things with extra energy and drive, feeling more content in yourself and ready to take on what’s thrown at you.

At this lull point of the calendar, planning, reflecting and connecting can really help to uplift and boost your mood and energy.

Small actions can make a big difference, and we deserve the joy that all of these things can bring.

Although this talk of the wind-down makes it sound like the year is over - it’s far from it.