Journal Prompts to wrap the year wisely (including my own answers!)
Self-coaching (via journaling) can be a source of motivation and growth, and most beautifully you can do it whenever and wherever you like.
Why bother? Well, research from Stanford psychologists shows that expressive writing (the kind where you reflect honestly on your experiences) can lower stress, improve emotional regulation, and even strengthen your immune system.
Here are questions, aligned to the People Success Elements, that can help you to reflect on your experiences in 2025, and set you up for a more engaged and successful 2026.
I’m sharing my own answers- to give you a template / in case anyone’s curious about how my first year in the wild went!
Growth
What did I learn this year that changed how I see myself or my work? Be clear about the problem you’re helping people to solve - internally then externally. It’s taken a lot of experimenting across the year to find the balance of what the world needs, and what I genuinely feel well placed to help with [creating containers for connection and growth].
What new skill or approach helped me to expand my impact? Asking for help is never comfortable for me - but I’ve been doing it! Also asking for feedback and truly listening to it without judgement - has been important.
What mistake or failure taught me the most? 1. Spending 3 days creating a beautiful manager assessment that 8 people completed and signing up to an expensive membership in the process 2. Spending weeks trying to build an app (lesson: a programmer I am not). 3. Being nervous to reach out to various people and reconnect was a huge waste of energy.
Purpose
When did I feel most aligned with what matters to me this year? When did I feel least aligned? I felt most aligned when I was creating experiences and content that helped people to feel happier and more connected at work — that’s what’s truly meaningful to me. I felt least aligned when I tried to create sales strategies :/
What work did I do that I'm genuinely proud of? The work with Just Add Water around maritime safety using theatre and storytelling to changes hearts and minds.
If I could only tell someone one thing I accomplished this year, what mattered most? I left a job I didn’t feel authentic in anymore, to start-up on my own - and I didn’t starve!
Clarity
What became clear to me this year that I'd been confused about before? I was never going to have the answers before I started. I can only collect answers as I go. There was never going to be a right time to make this change, and I was destined to make mistakes. The quicker I accepted that - the better!
What did I finally stop doing, and what did that free up? I stopped waiting for someone else to spot potential in my ideas, and started championing them myself.
What priority shifted for me, and why? I had prioritised financial security over purpose for the last few years. In this season of life, I’ve switched that focus - in the hopes that there is in fact a way to have both.
Empowerment
When did I take control of a situation this year? I cut my spending so that I could afford to work for myself. I’d become really wasteful I realise, while on the corporate train — and it’s been freeing to take control of that. I’ve also been more conscious of my health and made managing my energy a top priority.
What limiting belief about myself did I challenge or discard? The belief that I’m not tough / salesy enough to run a business.
What "no" am I most proud of saying? I said no to work that didn’t feel aligned to my purpose.
Wellbeing
When did I feel most energized and alive this year? Working with my old friends and colleagues on fun and interesting projects. Working for myself didn’t mean working alone (thankfully).
What patterns showed up in my physical or mental health, and what were they trying to tell me? I realised the best weeks at work were the ones where I also played sport/ spent time outside — and so the importance of movement for me became really clear.
What sustained me through the difficult moments? Cooking with my partner, exploring our new home city, time with friends and family, sea-swims, padel and our new family member (Dolly the cat).
Connection
Who showed up for me this year in ways that mattered? Too many to mention, but lots of friends and former colleagues offered me much needed advice and encouragement and or, gave me work to do!
Which relationships deepened, and what made that happen? The relationships that deepened were the ones where we created together - either by brainstorming/ cheerleading with one another, or actually creating something new.
Where did I show up authentically and what resulted from that? Writing and delivering a workshop like Double Click (complete with games and characters + behavioural science) felt very authentic.
Ok, that’s it! Feel free to share your lessons learned for 2025 too!