The year’s winding down, life feels full, and it’s easy to roll into January on autopilot. That might seem normal to you, but to me, there is one question I ask every December. “What in my life is fulfilling me or bringing me joy?” This one question matters more than goal-setting at this time of year because it helps you realign before deciding what’s next.

Why does this one question matter?

Many people set goals based on what they think they should do, not on what actually feels good or meaningful. If it doesn’t feel good and meaningful, you’re not likely to follow through in reaching the goals you set for yourself. 

When you focus on fulfillment and joy, you start recognizing:

• What truly fuels your energy
• What drains it
• What deserves more of your time in the new year

Joy and fulfillment don’t always come from big wins. Often, it’s from the daily habits, people, and moments that align with your values. I want you to think about this – When was the last time you felt really fulfilled? What were you doing? Who were you with?

Many personal experiences this year have already had me thinking about the upcoming goals I want to set. I’ve had some things that really surprised me that were small but brought so much joy (like walking), and some that weren’t as fulfilling as I thought they’d be. This year, I realized that what brings me joy isn’t always what looks the most productive, but instead what feels good.

Questions to guide your own reflection

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, reflection is the key to successful goals. This can be done in so many ways, depending on your style. I used to journal regularly with reflection prompts. When I first started, this was SUPER helpful to already have a prompt and not have to think about that part. After years of journaling, I’ve started a walking reflection. On my daily walks, I take part of that time to reflect. 

If you’re new to reflecting or just haven’t had much practice, here are 5 journaling prompts to help you process:

1. What in my life is bringing me joy or fulfillment right now?
2. What moments or activities leave me feeling energized, peaceful, or proud?
3. Where am I forcing something that no longer feels aligned?
4. Who or what do I always feel lighter around?
5. What would “more of that” look like in 2026?

I want to encourage you to actually pause, breathe, and reflect before rushing ahead to the planning. This doesn’t have to take hours, days, and weeks, but really give yourself the gift of a good reflection before you start the planning.

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If you liked this blog, here’s more for you!

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