As we enter into the final stretch of every year, I like to sit back and reflect on what the year has meant to me. There always seems to be this inner struggle between being proud and being disappointed—between what I did and what I didn’t do. Other times, I spend months waiting for the “perfect time” to start something, only to watch that time slip by faster than I thought.
And then there are times when I feel good about myself simply because I saw progress, no matter how small.
This period is a reminder that it’s not only a time to look back but also a time to look at what I can still accomplish before the year actually comes to a close.
Here’s the truth: You can start today. No matter how the previous months have gone, the last month or so of the year is the perfect time to reload, refocus, and finish strong. Instead of watching another year slip through your fingers, you can make choices now that leave you feeling accomplished, refreshed, light, and peaceful come January.
13 Things To Do Before The Year Ends
1. Reflect on the Past Few Months
If you want to move forward strong, you must first sit back to reflect. When you reflect, you are able to see your accomplishments and your shortcomings. By taking a look at how your year has been going, you can pinpoint patterns that affected your days.
Maybe you spent too much time scrolling on social media, or maybe you let certain bad habits slip. Reflection is not meant to make you feel guilty—it’s meant to help you learn.
Ask yourself: What are some moments I’m proud of? What was my biggest lesson? If I could go back, what would I do differently? By answering these questions honestly, you allow yourself to grow moving forward.
Read also: 9 Things to Do Every New Month to Start a New Chapter in Life
2. Get Your Finances in Order
Whether you like to think about it or not, your finances will follow you into the new year. Use this time to your advantage and spend a few days organizing your finances.
Go over your spending habits, debt, savings, and income. This isn’t meant to stress you out—it’s meant to help you know where you stand. Maybe you create a simple budget for next year and decide to save a certain amount of money each month or cut unnecessary spending.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, those who sit down and analyze their finances at least once a year have less financial anxiety and feel more in control of their money. Finish your year off strong by being financially prepared so you won’t have that lingering feeling of stress into the new year.
3. Clean Your Space
Have you ever noticed how when your room is a mess, you feel like your mind is scrambled? Your surroundings affect you more than you know.
Before the year comes to an end, take a few days to clean and declutter your space. Not only will you feel more motivated after cleaning your room, but you can clean out your closet and donate clothes, books, papers, or anything else you no longer need.
Decluttering your space also declutters your mind. When your outside space is organized, you will feel more at ease and lighter.
4. Invest in Your Relationships
Another thing you should do before the year ends is invest in your relationships. Give your friends and family a call or spend some extra time with them. Relationships take time and attention, and sometimes you just need a simple text to your friend asking how they’ve been to remind them you care.
According to Harvard Health, good relationships can lead to many positive aspects of your mental and physical health. And for Christians, investing in your relationship with God is another thing we can do to strengthen ourselves. God is the stronger one in that relationship, and by allowing Him to lead, you will continue to grow in spirit.
Building strong relationships before the year ends allows you to start the new year surrounded by the people you love.
5. Review Your Goals
Bring out those goals you wrote down at the beginning of the year and take a look. See where you excelled and where you fell short.
Reviewing your goals isn’t meant to rip yourself apart—it’s meant to help you recognize progress. Maybe you can finish your goals before the year ends, or maybe you’ll carry them over to next year.
Reviewing your goals also helps you remember what is important to you.
6. Take Care of Your Health
When life gets busy, we often let our health slide. However, your health is something you should always prioritize because if your body and mind aren’t healthy, how can you expect to finish your year strong?
Take these extra days to see how your mind and body are doing. Schedule that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off, eat nutritious foods, or take a mental break.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that not getting enough sleep is tied to many different kinds of serious health problems. By taking care of your health now, you’ll be sure to start your year off right and more energized.
7. Forgive and Release
The last thing you want to bring with you into the new year is anger or grudges. Carrying those heavy emotions will drain you more than you know.
Forgiveness is not about saying that what happened was okay. Forgiveness is telling yourself that you deserve peace of mind. Think about the people or situations you’re holding on to and forgive them.
Release the heavy weight you’ve been carrying on your shoulders and watch how you feel right away—lighter.
8. Celebrate Your Victories
Oftentimes, we focus on all the things we didn’t do, but forget to celebrate all the things we did. No victory is too small to celebrate.
Did you maintain a habit for longer than you previously did? Or maybe you stayed strong during a stressful season? Celebrate every victory you have made because you are taking steps day by day toward your goals.
Remember that celebrating small accomplishments is also about the small efforts you’ve put in.
9. Plan Something Fun
Life isn’t about beating yourself up to reach your goals. It’s about balancing hard work with fun.
Before the year comes to an end, plan something fun for yourself. Whether that’s a vacation or a “spa day” at home, you deserve to have fun and enjoy life.
Life is about finding happiness in the little things—so go have some fun!
10. Learn a New Hobby or Recipe
Another thing you can do before the year ends is learn something new. You never know what hobbies you’ll find interesting until you try them.
Learning can be small, like a recipe you’ve always wanted to try. Remember that life is a constant process of learning and growing as a person. Who knows—you may find a new hobby that you want to continue into the new year!
11. Give to Others
Let’s face it, there’s nothing that lifts your spirits more than helping others. Whether you donate to your favorite charity or simply spend time with someone who could use the company.
Giving to others helps you focus on what you have rather than what you don’t. It also reminds you that you are important and capable of making a difference in someone’s life.
12. Create a Vision for the New Year
One of the best things you can do as the year comes to an end is create a vision for the new year. Vision boards help you focus on what you want to accomplish come January.
Sit down and think about what you want in health, relationships, career, finances, and personal growth. Remember, your vision doesn’t have to be perfect or extravagant.
All it needs to be is a reflection of what you want for your life.
13. Rest
Lastly, rest. I know this time of the year can be hectic as you try to finish your year off right, but know that true strength lies in knowing when to slow down.
Rest isn’t something you should feel guilty for doing. When you give your body and mind a break, you’re allowing yourself to heal. Take a vacation, slow your daily routines down, or allow yourself to spend some quiet time alone.
You can’t run on empty if you want to pour into the new year. Give yourself time to rest and recharge your batteries.
Final Thoughts
Your year doesn’t have to end on a sour note. You have the opportunity to make these last few months meaningful by reflecting, organizing, forgiving, celebrating, and resting.
Use these 13 tips to your advantage and finish your year off strong. Remember that your year doesn’t end just because the calendar does. You can always continue to grow no matter what month it is.
Save the pin for later
