Celebrating the Progress of the Year
“The spirit of December carries us forward with hope and courage.” — Unknown
December is a month of endings and beginnings. The nights are long, the air is crisp, and we’re invited to pause, take stock, and honour how far we’ve come. For many, this month brings a mix of emotions: pride, grief, relief, or anticipation. Whatever this year has been for you, December is an opportunity to acknowledge your progress—not just in the big milestones, but in the quiet, steady moments of resilience that often go unnoticed.
Healing, after all, is not about perfection. It’s about presence, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
Week 1: Your Year of Growth
As you look back on 2025, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t happen or what went wrong. But growth often hides in the smallest shifts—setting a boundary, reaching out for help, or noticing your body soften during a moment of safety. Research on post-traumatic growth shows that even after deep struggle, many people experience new strengths, deeper relationships, and greater appreciation for life (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).
Take a moment this week to ask yourself: Where have I grown this year, even in ways no one else might see?
Week 2: Embracing Hope for 2026
Hope is not blind optimism—it’s the belief that things can change, even if you don’t yet know how. Psychologists define hope as both agency (believing you can take steps forward) and pathways (seeing possible routes ahead) (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).
As we step toward 2026, let hope be less about rigid goals and more about openness:
What would it feel like to move through next year with more ease?
What possibilities excite me, even if they’re uncertain?
Week 3: Self-Compassion Practices
So often, we speak to ourselves in ways we’d never speak to a friend. Research shows that self-compassion is linked to reduced anxiety, depression, and shame, while increasing resilience and wellbeing (Neff, 2003).
Three gentle practices for this week:
Soften your inner voice: When you notice self-criticism, pause and ask, What would I say to a loved one in this situation?
Hand on heart: Place your hand over your chest, breathe deeply, and repeat a grounding phrase like, I am doing the best I can.
Compassionate journalling: Write a letter to yourself as if from a caring mentor or friend.
Try out the following guided meditation by Kristin Neff to further explore bringing self- compassion into your journey. This can also be found on Dr. Kristin Neff’s website.
Week 4: Planning Your Healing Journey
The end of the year is a natural time for planning. But instead of only making resolutions, consider planning with healing in mind. Research on behaviour change shows that intentions are more successful when tied to values and small, specific steps (Michie et al., 2011).
Ask yourself:
What value do I want to live more fully in 2026? (e.g., connection, rest, creativity)
What is one small step I can take in January to align with that value?
Healing journeys don’t happen overnight—but they do happen through steady, intentional steps.
Week 5: Closing the Year with Self-Compassion
As December closes, remember: not everything has to be wrapped up neatly before January. Endings are rarely tidy. Give yourself permission to enter the new year with unfinished stories, unanswered questions, and work still in progress.
Let this be your mantra: I am enough, as I am, in this moment.
Closing Thoughts
As the year ends, pause to ask yourself: What progress am I most proud of in 2025, and how can I carry that strength into the new year?
Take a breath, honour your journey, and step forward with courage.
Next month, we begin the new year—fresh pages, new intentions, and the continuation of your healing path.
