End-of-Year Reflection: Celebrating Survival and Strength

As the year winds down, social media fills up with highlight reels. You know the ones I'm talking about where it seems like everyone "did" something or "acheived something" this year: promotions, trips, perfectly baked cookies, and milestone moments. It can feel overwhelming, especially if your year looked different: sleepless nights, diaper changes, emotional ups and downs, or just managing to keep yourself and your family afloat.

If this resonates with you, know this: surviving a challenging year is an achievement in itself. Endurance, resilience, survival, and self-care (often invisible to the outside world) are powerful milestones worth honoring.

Validating Your Year

Instead of comparing your year to others, consider reflecting on the following:

• Mom Wins: Did you keep yourself and your child safe, fed, and loved? WINNING!
• Self-Care Wins: Did you take even a few minutes for yourself each day or week? Reading, walking, meditating? WINNING! 
• Emotional Wins: Did you show up for your feelings, your needs, or your mental health? WINNING!
  
  • Or if you didn't and you want to show up for yourself EVEN MORE in 2026 Messy Bun Therapy has immediate openings in January both in person at our new location in Highlands Ranch or virtually anywhere in the state of Colorado.
• Growth Wins: Even small steps, like asking for help, setting a boundary, or learning a new parenting skill, are growth worth celebrating.

Tip: Write down these wins. Seeing them on paper helps you acknowledge your own effort and resilience. Don't underestimate the power of a mirror post-it.

Reflections for Empowerment

Maybe you read everything above and said "yea yea Liz that all sounds great, but like what did I actually do in 2025?" Well here are some questions to ask yourself to help process the year, recongize ALL that you did, and enter 2026 with confidence:

1. What was the hardest thing I faced this year, and what did I learn from it?
2. Which moments made me feel proud of myself, no matter how small?
3. Who or what helped me survive and thrive, and how can I honor that support?
4. What is one thing I want to carry into the new year that brings me joy, strength, or balance?
5. What is one boundary I want to set in 2026 to protect my energy and well-being?

Celebrating Survival as Strength

Remember, not every year is about external accomplishments. Some years are about resilience, endurance, and showing up for yourself and your family, even when it feels like just getting through is all you did. That is not “just surviving”it’s powerful, courageous living.

Entering 2026 With Intention

As you look toward 2026, consider setting intentions that align with your values and energy. Whether it’s more time for self-care, building community, or slowing down to savor everyday moments, honoring your own pace is a radical and empowering choice.

Reflection is not about perfection, it’s about acknowledging your journey, owning the missteps, celebrating the unseen victories, and stepping into the new year grounded in your strength.

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