Welcome to your new Sunday ritual, where we dive into one word that will guide and inspire us throughout the upcoming week.
Every Sunday, we’ll pick a word—a concept, an idea, a feeling—that can set the tone for how we approach the week ahead. Whether it's something we want to cultivate, focus on, or simply remind ourselves of, this word will be our intention for the week.
Welcome to the last Sunday of the year—where we take a break from the chaos, dust off the old calendar, and give ourselves a moment to actually think about what just happened. This week’s word is Reflect, and honestly, if there was ever a time to dive deep into the art of looking back and contemplating everything you’ve survived, it’s now.
Why Reflect?
Let’s face it, the past year has been a rollercoaster—maybe a little too much rollercoaster, if we’re being honest. But before we charge into next year with all of our resolutions, “new year, new me” declarations, and a vague sense of optimism, we’ve got to do the important stuff: reflect on how we got here.
Reflection isn’t just about looking at your past and feeling smug or cringing at the mistakes.
No, it’s about taking a good, hard look at what went right (and what went horribly, horribly wrong) and thinking, “Well, that was something.” It’s about owning your journey, even if your journey involved a lot of unexpected detours, questionable decisions, and maybe one too many bad haircuts.
It’s time to dig through the wreckage of the last year and find the moments that made us better, stronger, and slightly more self-aware.
How to Reflect (Without Going Full Therapy Session)
This Sunday, we’re going to do some light reflection—just enough to pat ourselves on the back for surviving, but not so much that we spiral into an existential crisis. Here’s how:
Look Back and Gasp - Seriously, look back on the year and ask yourself, “What actually happened?” What were the big wins? What did you learn from those disastrous attempts at trying new things (2024 vision board, anyone)? Jot it down, laugh, cry, or do whatever feels right, but just take a moment to own it. All of it.
Personal Growth - How have you changed this year? Gotten wiser? More zen? Or did you just figure out how to drink coffee without feeling like you’re having a heart attack? Either way, give yourself credit for surviving. Growth is growth, even if it means you just learned how to set boundaries without feeling guilty.
Gratitude: aka ‘That One Good Thing’ - Let’s not go overboard with this, but we’ve got to give a shoutout to what we’re thankful for. It’s easy to remember the bad stuff—because, let’s be real, that's what makes for the best stories—but try to find at least one thing this year that made you smile. Could be that one time you had a perfect latte, or perhaps you didn’t get ghosted on that first date.
What’s Next? - Reflection isn’t all about the past; it’s about looking forward and thinking, “What do I want to pretend to accomplish next year?” Take a moment to jot down what’s on your horizon—whether it’s a realistic goal (maybe something achievable like “take a walk once a week”) or something you’ll forget by February (hello, gym membership).
Why It Matters (Because It Does)
Reflecting at the end of the year isn’t about obsessing over every tiny mistake you made (though let’s be honest, we all have a few choices we could have avoided). It’s about being able to take a breath, look at the big picture, and say,
“Okay, I didn’t completely ruin my life this year. In fact, I kind of nailed it, despite all the odds.”
Reflection helps us take stock of where we’ve been so we don’t walk blindly into the next year, repeating the same mistakes (or if we do, at least we’ll be more aware of them). It’s a reminder that growth isn’t always linear—it’s messy, chaotic, and sometimes you end up with glitter all over your face. But that’s okay.
Reflection gives us permission to celebrate the chaos and the wins.
Your Invitation:
So, grab your preferred beverage, find a cozy corner, and reflect on this year.
What went right?
What went hilariously wrong?
What did you learn?
And what are you actually going to carry forward into the new year?
We've created a free 8-page workbook called "Reflecting on 2024: Honest Insights and Setting the Stage for 2025" that you can get here or in the PDF download below.
Let Reflect be your guiding word this week. Honor the past, laugh at the mess, and get ready to head into 2025 with a clearer sense of who you are and what you don’t want to repeat (looking at you, 2024!). You’ve earned it.
And here’s to whatever adventures 2025 brings. Cheers!
PS - reflecting is not just reserved for the end of the year.
👉🏽Taking a moment to reflect on your day is like giving your mind a little spa treatment.
👉🏽It helps you celebrate your wins, big or small, and figure out what could use a little tweak next time.
👉🏽Reflection lets you process those highs and lows, turning them into valuable lessons.
👉🏽It’s a great way to practice gratitude and keep things in perspective.
👉🏽By checking in with yourself, you’ll feel more clear-headed, less stressed, and ready to take on tomorrow.
Whether it’s journaling, daydreaming, or just chilling in quiet, the habit of daily reflection is a game-changer for your mental and emotional well-being. Try this daily mental health tracker that can help you reflect and reframe your thoughts.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Rago is a mama, wife, writer, and the creator of The Modern Domestic Woman (MDW).
Starting with silly beginnings writing about home decor and DIY projects, Elizabeth found MDW to be a happy distraction from her stressful life as a mom of three.
After a series of unfortunate events including job loss, a car accident, bankruptcy, and a physical and emotional breakdown, Elizabeth felt compelled to shift the primary focus of MDW from pretty pictures and goofy memes to a space of honest support for the everyday woman.
Learn more about Elizabeth at MDWcares.com
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