End-of-Year Reflection: Questions to Ask to Actually Grow

Last Updated on December 30, 2024 by Jess Brown

I used to think end-of-year reflection meant making a list of everything I accomplished and then creating new goals for the year ahead. But I was missing something huge.

I’d make the same resolutions, set similar goals, and wonder why I kept hitting the same walls. Something had to change.

woman sits on rocks by at sunset with pastel colored sky and writes in her journal

It hasn’t always been easy for me to notice dysfunctional patterns when I’m caught in them. I think most people struggle with this to some degree. Having that self-awareness takes work to build.

In the past few years, I’ve started noticing when things don’t feel aligned, when they feel forced, when things aren’t flowing. And it’s changed everything about how I approach my life and business.

How End-of-Year Reflection Changed Everything for Me

How End-of-Year Reflection Changed Everything for Me

You know that feeling when you’re doing all the “right” things, but something still feels off? That was me. I was building a successful business in the mental wellness space, even tripled my income. From the outside, everything looked perfect.

But I was trying to force myself into a box that wasn’t meant for me. As an introvert, I was pushing myself to show up on social media daily, make videos constantly, be “on” all the time. I kept thinking if I just tried harder, I’d learn to love it.

The success was there, but the alignment wasn’t.

When Everything Started Shifting

Earlier this year, I attended a leadership summit in Nashville. While the summit was great, the real breakthrough came from meeting my mentor in person and working with a practitioner she recommended.

Through this work, I started asking myself deeper questions. Not just “What do I want to achieve?” but “How do I want to feel while I’m achieving it?”

The Questions That Helped Me Break Old Patterns

Here are some of the most powerful questions I started asking myself:

What situations kept showing up this year that left me feeling drained?
Where am I trying to force myself to be someone I’m not?
What dreams have I been talking myself out of?
What would I do if I truly believed in my own worth?

woman sits on rock by water at sunset with quote text that reads “The journey of self-reflection is not about reaching a destination, but about understanding who you are becoming along the way.” - Lalah Delia manifesteveryday.com

Getting Clear About What’s Really Working (And What’s Not)

Through this deeper reflection, I realized something important. My natural talent wasn’t in making videos – it was in writing. I’ve always processed my thoughts best through writing. I love connecting with people through words on a page.

So I made a decision that scared me at first. I stepped back from the daily social media grind and returned to my blogging roots. It wasn’t an easy choice – especially when I was seeing success the other way. But it felt right.

Here are the questions that helped me get clear:

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What activities make me lose track of time?
When do I feel most energized while working?
What skills come naturally to me that I might be taking for granted?
Where am I saying “yes” when my heart is screaming “no”?

Moving Through What’s Holding You Back

But here’s what I discovered – it wasn’t just about changing how I work. Even with my past business successes, there were still deeper blocks holding me back. Old traumas and beliefs that made me question my path, even when things were going well.

I invested in working with a Body Code practitioner who helped me release these old patterns. Now I feel a level of confidence and alignment I’ve never experienced before. Instead of second-guessing my decisions or feeling like I need to pivot to find the “right” way, I trust my instincts about how I want to serve others.

Try asking yourself:

What old story about myself am I ready to let go of?
Where do I feel unworthy, and what would change if I didn’t?
What would I do if I fully trusted myself?

The Clarity That Comes From Honest Reflection

The most surprising thing? Once I started being honest with myself, everything became clearer. I got certified in new modalities that align with my passion for helping others. I’m building my business in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Yes, I’m still in the beginning stages of this new path. But for the first time, I feel inspired instead of drained. Aligned instead of forcing it. And confident instead of fearful.

woman at the top of a mountain with pink cloudy sky with quote text that reads “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson manifesteveryday.com

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Frequently Asked Questions About End of Year Reflection

What if my reflection shows me I need to change something that’s actually working well?

This was exactly my situation. Remember – success and alignment are two different things. You can be good at something, even successful, but still feel called to shift. Trust that inner knowing. Success feels different when it comes from a place of alignment.

How do I tell the difference between fear and genuine misalignment?

Fear usually shows up as “I can’t” thoughts. Misalignment feels more like “I don’t want to” – even when you can prove you’re capable. When I was making videos, I could do it well, but I didn’t want to. With writing, I both can and want to.

What if I don’t feel ready to make the changes my reflection reveals?

Change doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with honest acknowledgment. Sometimes, just naming what’s not aligned creates space for natural shifts to occur. Let yourself explore new possibilities before making big moves.

Your End-of-Year Reflection Journey

Looking back, I see how each step of my journey – even the misaligned parts – led me here. But intentional reflection helped me get here faster, with more clarity and confidence.

I’ve created a free 30-day reflection guide that walks you through the exact process I used to find this clarity. It includes the deeper questions that helped me release old patterns and step into genuine confidence.

If you’re ready to do more than just set resolutions – if you’re ready to create real alignment in your life – click here to get your End-of-Year Reflection Guide.

NOW OVER TO YOU: Let me know in the comments: What’s one pattern you’re ready to look at differently this year?