What This Hard Year Taught You

We're heading into that time of year where everyone starts talking about fresh starts and new goals for 2026.

But before we do that... let's pause for a second.

Let's be honest: 2025 has been a challenging year for many of us. Everywhere you turn there's negative news. Wars. Politics. Then you look around and see your friends losing jobs or businesses struggling and slower than usual. Or maybe it was health issues, fertility issues and aging parents.

Whatever it was…it's okay if it was a hard year. It’s okay to say that out loud.

Here's what I notice: We tend to run from one thing to the next without ever really processing what we've been through. We deflect. We pivot to positive. We don't really want to look at it.

Yet sometimes it's in the looking at it—in the holding—that's actually the most important part. It allows us to acknowledge that it was hard. To recognize that not every year is going to be the best year.

And to see that we made it anyway.

Let’s Experiment

Set aside 5 minutes this week. Write down what this challenging year taught you about yourself, about others and about your ability to navigate uncertainty.

Use those difficult moments as an opportunity to build wisdom for next year.

I’ll go first: This year was a hard one for me! We had money issues. Dave’s work was inconsistent or he was away from home a lot. There were many times when I had no idea how it would all come together…and yet it did. Perfectly, magically. And as hard as this year was, both personally and seeing what was happening in the world…it made me trust myself deeper. I trust that I and we (Dave and I) will figure it out. We always do.

Why it matters: Sometimes we evangelize the positive and it can become toxic. Not everything is positive and there's real power in giving yourself permission to be real with yourself in that acknowledgement.

And…those moments also made you stronger. Those difficult moments that felt impossible also revealed your resilience.

Want to challenge yourself?
Comment what this challenging year has taught you. I read every response.

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With love and gratitude,
Jenn