Taking time for year end reflections is a meaningful way to wrap up the year and prepare for a great new year.
Why should I try year end reflections?
One of my all-time favorite annual activities is a year end reflection. This is a special time to sit with the Lord. To pray, reflect, dream, and plan.
Looking backwards gives perspective, while looking forward creates momentum.
Of course, it can be a bit overwhelming to sit down with God and think through an entire year! So today, I want to share 27 questions that I find meaningful – and that I use regularly in my mental health counseling practice – that you can use for your own year end reflections.
[This post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.]
Why should I try a year end reflection?
Life is so busy. Usually, this means that we cannot really understand or appreciate the important things of life’s meaning unless we are very purposeful.
A year end reflection, or a year-in-review, will help you do exactly this.
When you take time for a year end reflection, you are simply pausing from the busyness of life to intentionally think back on what has happened this year, and what you have learned from it.
Does a year end reflection impact my faith life?
Especially for Christians, there is great spiritual value in reflections.
Throughout the psalms, we see Israel remembering what God has done. This helps them to praise God and trust him during new challenges and struggles.
For all of us, slowing down to reflect can be helpful in our maturity and growth. How can we change something if we aren’t noticing it? Or, continue something awesome, if it’s just happening by accident?
A year end reflection will help you worship God, learn about yourself, and set great goals for the new year.
Questions to use in your year end reflections
In my work as a marriage and family therapist, I love asking questions that help people reflect! Helping people learn about themselves is a big part of helping them accomplish change and growth that they want in their family relationships.
Some of my favorite questions for life, learning, and year end are right here for you to try.
1. What was the best thing I invested my time in during this past year?
Time is the one thing in life that we can never purchase or get more of. Everyone has the same amount of time. How did you use yours this past year?
2. How did I notice my marriage changing this year?
Your marriage is a central piece of everyday life! When it’s good, life is good. But when it’s hard, it can impact everything else too. People are always changing, so how did your marriage change this year? How do you feel about that change?
3. When did I experience the most stress and anxiety this year?
Of course, once you identity when you felt stressed or anxious this year, you’ll want to explore a harder question… why? Why did those things or experiences stress you out?
RELATED: Praying Through 7 Of The Best Bible Verses For Anxiety
4. Where do I look back and experience some guilt or regret? (Why is that?)
No one makes perfect decisions all the time. So as you look back, don’t blame yourself for these feelings. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Simply try to notice and learn.
5. What do my relationships with my children look like today? What has helped us get there?
Every mom wants to feel close with her children! They are growing and changing all the time, and our relationships with them are changing too. Reflect on how this has changed and what you want to continue with your kids in the new year.
6. How did I see the Lord moving in my family during this past year?
In the busyness of life, this can be easy to overlook. But God is always working! How did you see Him move this year?
7. During the past year, who had a big impact on how I think, feel, or act? What was that impact?
You have interacted with a LOT of people this year! Who had the biggest impact? Think about how it impacted you and why that is.
8. What surprised me about this past year?
Perhaps there were good surprises and perhaps they were unpleasant. But there’s no way that this time last year, you could have predicted everything that happened! So look back and reflect.
9. What did I pray for the most often (or, the most urgently) during this past year?
Our prayer life tells a lot about what truly matters to us. Maybe you have a prayer journal you can read through, or look back through old notes or text messages. What have you been praying for this year?
RELATED: 10 Powerful Ways A Christian Mom Can Create A Pattern Of Prayer For Her Home And Family
10. What was the smallest change I made this year? How did it change me?
You might overlook small changes, but sometimes they have the biggest impact! What is one of those impacts this year?
11. When did I find myself smiling the most this past year?
These will be some happy memories to look back on. Think about your smiles! You could look through your photo roll for some reminders of what made you smile.
12. Where did I find the most satisfaction and sense of purpose this year?
Maybe it was work. Home. Marriage. Parenting. Spiritual growth. As you think about all the areas of life, what felt purposeful and meaningful this year? Why was that?
13. What Bible verses were most impactful for me this year? Why is that?
Scripture tells us that the Bible is living and active. It is God-breathed. And it impacts us, even when we least expect it! What Bible verses impacted you this year?
14. Who did I pray for the most this year?
As you have prayed this year, what people have you been praying for the most? Does that line up with what you think your prayer life should look like?
15. Where or when did I feel happiest this year?
Of course, you can also reflect on where or when you felt the saddest, grumpiest, most scared, most overwhelmed… and more. Every emotion can teach you something!
16. What goals did I try to work on this year? How did that go?
If you think back to this time last year… what goals were you setting for the new year?
17. How did my spiritual life change during this past year?
Even if you feel that your spiritual life is exactly the same today as it was a year ago, why is that? You are always changing and learning, so your spiritual life will grow too.
18. Where do I look back and wish that I had done things differently?
This is not a time to dwell on mistakes or get lost in feelings of guilt. No, this is a chance to use hindsight and see what you can learn from this year’s harder moments.
19. When did I notice God most directly during this past year?
You may notice God in so many areas of life – in Scripture, at church, at home, with your friends, in your devotional time. What had the biggest impact for you this year?
20. How did I love my family well this year? What helped me do that?
Think about the good! What did you try, and what worked?
21. Did my sense of identity, purpose, or priority change this year? Why was that?
Some years, this change might be huge. Other years, nothing will feel very different. Either way, this is a helpful reflection.
DIVE DEEPER with the Finding Your Identity In Christ devotional workbook.
22. How would I summarize my year in only a few words?
Limit yourself to 3-5 words and try to summarize your year! It doesn’t need to be a complete sentence. A bullet-point list might make more sense for your personal summary.
23. What relationship was most impactful on my year?
Sometimes, the relationships you least expect will have the biggest impact. People may have impacted you in positive ways or painful ways, but it is a valuable reflection point.
24. How do I hope that my marriage, parenting, or family will change in the new year? How can I impact that?
Part of a year end reflection is looking ahead at what’s to come. What are you hoping to change in the new year?
DIVE DEEPER with the Building A Home Of Godliness And Joy devotional workbook.
25. What was my biggest time-wasting activity during the past year?
Be honest. It might feel awkward or make you feel guilty. But brushing reality under the rug never changes anything. Where did you waste time this year, and why did that happen?
26. If I could go back and repeat one experience this year, what would I pick?
You at least might have some photos or videos to help you re-live that special experience!
27. What habits were most impactful on my daily life this year?
As you look ahead to the new year, these habits will be an important part of your life. How can you continue them on? What new habits might you still want to add into your daily life?
START A NEW HABIT with the Holy Habits 45-day Bible and Prayer guide
Let's connect!
- JOIN MY EMAIL LIST for weekly tips, gospel encouragement, and a new coupon code each month.
- JOIN THE FAITH FIVER CLUB in our Patreon community, to support the ministry and get exclusive access to our private podcast, Q&As, and more.
- JOIN ME ON PINTEREST and on Facebook and Instagram too, for regular encouragement and fun.
And as they say... sharing is caring!
Disclaimers: I am a licensed therapist but my podcast, blog, and resources are not professional or personal advice. I am an affiliate for many of the resources that I link to, and may earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Read my full disclaimer here.
