Setting some time aside at the end of the year to reflect can be a meaningful exercise. As the year ends, gaining perspective on the experiences and growth you had can help you identify patterns, learn from your mistakes, and celebrate your achievements.
One way to do this is through journaling. Writing down your thoughts and experiences in a journal allows you to capture the essence of what you’ve gone through over the year. It’s a personal space where you can be completely honest with yourself, which aids in genuine self-reflection.
In this post, we’ve compiled some end-of-year journaling prompts to help you wrap up the year and set the stage for a fresh start for the year to come. Whether you’re an experienced journaler or just starting out, these journaling prompts will provide plenty of inspiration for exploring your memories, thoughts, and feelings about this past year.
Why an End-of-Year Journaling Session is Important
As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the events of the past twelve months. This reflection is not just about recalling events, but about understanding their impact on your personal and professional growth. An end-of-year journaling session provides a structured way to look back and gain insights that might be missed in the daily hustle.
An end-of-year journaling session can also help you gain a sense of closure on the events of the past year, allowing you to move forward with a fresh outlook. Reflecting at the end of a year can also help you process any difficult experiences or emotions you may have gone through. Journaling about your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic way to let go of any lingering negativity and move forward with a sense of closure.
“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”
– Maria Edgeworth
Finally, spending some time for journaling at the end of the year can be a valuable way to connect with yourself and your values. This exercise in self-reflection provides an opportunity to assess what’s truly important to you and what to prioritize in the future, which can help inform your goals and plans for the upcoming year.
Tips to Prepare for End-of-Year Reflection Journaling
To get into a reflective mood, set aside some quiet time. Choose a comfortable space where you can focus and relax. Minimize distractions by turning off notifications on your phone or computer. To create an introspective atmosphere, you may even want to light a candle, dim the lights, or put on some music. To calm the mind and center yourself, try this meditation on endings.
Spend some time scrolling through the photos you took this past year, review each month’s calendar, or read other journal entries you may have written. Review your memories in your Day One by checking out your journal through the Calendar View and Map View. These activities can help stimulate your memory and put you in a reflective frame of mind so you’re ready to write about your experiences from the past year.
Reflect with These 40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts
As this year draws to a close, here are journal prompts to reflect on this past year. Whether you use all of the prompts, or just a few, the important thing is to take some time for yourself and reflect on the past year.
Feel free to copy and paste these directly into your Day One journal, or use the buttons for each prompt to load them directly into Day One.
1. What changes did I experience this year?
Reflect on the various changes that occurred in your life this year. This could range from personal transformations to significant life events such as moving to a new town, starting a new job, or experiencing shifts in relationships. List these changes, whether they were planned or unexpected, and then write about how they impacted your life.
2. What were some moments of joy I experienced this year?
Recall the instances that brought you happiness this year. They could be big events or small, everyday joys. Describe these moments and what made them special for you.
3. How have I prioritized my well-being this year?
Consider the steps you’ve taken to care for your mental, physical, and emotional health. Write about the practices or changes you’ve implemented and how they have contributed to your well-being.
4. What strengths did I discover in myself this year?
Reflect on the inner strengths you uncovered or developed this year. Consider moments of resilience, courage, or adaptability. Write about these strengths and how they helped you navigate the year.
5. What was the most valuable lesson I learned this year?
Think about the most significant lesson or insight you gained this year. Write about how this lesson came about and why it’s valuable for your personal growth and future decisions.
6. What dreams or goals did I pursue this year, and how did that journey unfold?
Reflect on the ambitions or objectives you worked towards this year. Describe the journey of pursuing these goals, the progress made, and the experiences you had along the way.
7. What was the most difficult challenge I faced this year?
Write about the toughest challenge you encountered this year. Reflect on how you dealt with it, what you learned from it, and how it has shaped you.
8. Who made a difference in my life this year?
Think about the people who had a significant impact on your life this year. Write about who they are, the role they played, and how they influenced you.
9. What are three moments from this year I’m thankful for?
Identify three specific moments from this year that you’re particularly grateful for. Describe these moments and explain why they hold a special place in your heart.
10. What was the best new thing I tried this year?
Reflect on a new activity, hobby, or experience you tried this year. Write about what it was, why you tried it, and what you enjoyed or learned from it.
11. What was the biggest risk I took this year?
Consider the most significant risk you took this year. Describe what it was, why you took it, and how it turned out, focusing on the growth and learning it brought.
12. How did my relationships change this year?
Reflect on the dynamics of your relationships this year. Write about any new relationships, strengthened bonds, or important shifts in your connections with others.
13. If I review this past year, what was the best thing that happened each month?
Look back at each month of the past year and identify the best thing that happened in each. Write a brief note on these highlights and what they meant to you.
14. What are my goals for the coming year?
Think about your aspirations for the next year. Write about the goals you want to set, both big and small, and how you plan to achieve them.
15. What new opportunities became available this year?
Consider any new opportunities that came your way related to work, education, travel, personal growth, or new experiences. What were the opportunities, and what motivated you to pursue them? How did they turn out, and what did you learn from the experience?
16. Write a message to myself to be reviewed one year from today.
Compose a message to your future self. Include your hopes, wishes, and advice for the coming year, and reflect on what you hope to accomplish or maintain in your life.
17. How have I changed over the past year?
Reflect on your personal growth and evolution over the past year. Consider changes in your mindset, habits, goals, and behaviors, and write about how these transformations have shaped you.
18. What challenges did I face this year, and how did I overcome them?
Think about the obstacles and difficulties you encountered this year. Describe these challenges and how you addressed them, focusing on the strategies and strengths you employed.
19. In what ways have I positively impacted the lives of others this year?
Reflect on your interactions and relationships. Write about the ways you have made a positive difference in the lives of those around you, through acts of kindness, support, or mentorship.
20. What new skills did I gain this year?
Consider the new abilities or knowledge you acquired this year. Describe these skills and how you developed them, as well as their significance in your personal or professional life.
21. How have my relationships evolved this year?
Reflect on the changes in your relationships. Write about new connections you’ve made, strengthened bonds, or important realizations about your interactions with others.
22. What are my top three accomplishments this year?
Identify and write about your three most significant achievements from this year, focusing on what they meant to you and how they contributed to your personal or professional growth.
23. When did I feel the most present this year?
Recall the moments when you felt fully engaged and present. Write about these instances, what you were doing, and how being present affected your experience.
23. What was something new I learned this year?
Think about a new piece of knowledge or a new perspective you gained this year. Describe what you learned and how it has influenced you.
24. What did I accomplish this year?
Reflect on your achievements and successes over the year. Write about these accomplishments, no matter how big or small, and what they mean to you.
25. What was my favorite movie or book of the year?
Identify your favorite movie or book from this year and write about why it resonated with you, its impact on your thoughts or emotions, and any key takeaways.
26. What lesson did this year teach me?
Reflect on the overall lesson or theme that this year imparted on you. Write about how this lesson has affected your perspective or approach to life.
27. In what ways did I grow as a person this year?
Think about the ways you’ve developed personally this year. Write about your growth in areas like emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, or understanding.
28. What values were most important to me this year?
Consider the values or principles that were most significant to you this year. Write about these values and how they guided your decisions and actions.
29. How did I express my creativity this year?
Reflect on the ways you expressed creativity, whether through art, writing, problem-solving, or other forms. Write about these creative endeavors and their importance to you.
30. How did I step out of my comfort zone this year?
Reflect on the moments this year when you pushed beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. Think about the new experiences, challenges, or decisions that initially felt daunting or unfamiliar. Write about what motivated you to take these steps, how you felt during the process, and what you learned from these experiences
31. What fear did I face this year?
Think about a fear you confronted this year. Write about what it was, how you faced it, and what you learned from the experience.
32. What word or phrase best describes this past year?
Identify a word or phrase that encapsulates your experience of the past year. Write about why this word or phrase is fitting and how it represents your journey through the year.
33. What do I hope to carry over from this year into the next?
Consider the positive aspects, habits, or lessons from this year that you want to continue into the next year. Write about these elements and why they are important for your future.
34. What songs were the soundtrack for this year?
Think about the songs that defined this year for you. Write about these songs and why they were significant, capturing particular moments or feelings.
35. What insights have I gained this year that have changed my perspective on life?
Reflect on the insights or realizations that altered your view of life this year. Write about these moments of clarity and how they’ve reshaped your understanding.
36. As I reflect on the past year, what am I most looking forward to in the coming year?
Consider your aspirations, hopes, and plans for the coming year. Reflect on what excites you about the future and write about the things you are most looking forward to experiencing or achieving.
37. What were some of the most meaningful moments of this year?
Identify and describe the moments this year that held deep significance or emotional impact for you. Write about why these moments were so meaningful and the feelings or lessons they brought to your life.
38. What was the most unexpected thing that happened this year?
Reflect on the surprises this year brought, whether they were pleasant or challenging. Write about this unexpected event and how it impacted your life.
39. What are my top 10 favorite photos from this past year?
Select your top 10 favorite photos from the year and write about the memories, feelings, or stories behind each one. Explain why they are significant to you and what they represent about your year.
40. Looking back, what am I most grateful for about this year?
Reflect on the aspects of this year that brought you the most gratitude. Write about these elements and why they hold special importance in your life. Consider the experiences, people, achievements, or lessons that have enriched your year. Acknowledge the positive impacts, big or small, and how they have contributed to your sense of fulfillment and contentment. This exercise is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the good in your life, fostering a sense of thankfulness and perspective as you look back on the year.
Wrapping Up the Year
After completing this journaling session, you may feel a greater sense of satisfaction and closure about the past year. By reflecting on your memories and exploring your experiences from this past year with these end-of-year journaling prompts, you may have gained some surprising new insights about the moments that defined the year. With this fresh perspective, we hope you are ready to face the new year with a greater sense of clarity and purpose.
We wish you a happy and fulfilling new year, and we encourage you to continue journaling as a way to reflect on your experiences and growth. As you continue your journaling journey, check out even more journal prompts in this list of 550+ journal prompts. Happy journaling, and here’s to a bright New Year!
Reflect on Your Year in Your Day One Journal
The Day One journaling app makes it easy to keep a journal. Daily reminders, daily writing prompts, and journaling streaks are designed to help keep you motivated and consistently journaling.
About the Author
Kristen Wright is the author of three books on journaling, including The Transformation Year, a year-long series of daily journal prompts. With a passion for writing and self-reflection, Kristen uses her experience with journaling to help others discover the benefits of documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In her role at Day One, she helps to promote the power of journaling so people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of journaling.
