So, You Made It Through Another Year

—The Question Is, How?

Another year has come and gone, and here we are again, standing at the threshold of a new chapter. It's easy to get swept up in the busyness of life—marking accomplishments, setting new goals, and racing forward without stopping to reflect. But before you hit the ground running, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: How did I make it through this past year?

Take a moment. Breathe. Let’s explore the deeper layers of that question together.

The Quality of Your Life: A Mirror for Reflection

The quality of your life isn’t measured by how much you checked off your to-do list or whether you reached every milestone. It’s about the experience of your journey.

• Did you cruise through the year? Maybe you stayed in your comfort zone, playing it safe. There’s no judgment here—sometimes, staying steady is necessary. But cruising too long can lead to stagnation if it keeps you from stepping into the growth that’s waiting for you.

• Did you stagnate? Be honest. Were you stuck in survival mode, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected? Did you put off your dreams, telling yourself, “I’ll get to it someday”? Stagnation isn’t failure, but it’s often a sign that deeper work is calling for your attention.

• Did you grow? Growth isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes, it looks like letting go of old beliefs, navigating uncomfortable transitions, or facing challenges head-on. It’s messy, but it’s also transformative. Did you allow yourself to embrace the discomfort that comes with stretching into a better version of yourself?

Powering Through Is Not a Growth Strategy

For many of us, “making it through” means powering through—pushing ourselves to the limit and relying on coffee, adrenaline, or sheer willpower to get by. But here’s the hard truth: this approach isn’t sustainable.

• Short-Term Fixes, Long-Term Damage: The bursts of energy that help us meet a deadline or power through challenges eventually turn into chronic stress.

• Stress Takes Its Toll: When stress becomes a constant state, it drains your energy, damages your health, and leaves you feeling depleted. Chronic stress isn’t just mental—it’s physical, emotional, and spiritual.

• A Better Alternative: True growth doesn’t come from “just surviving.” It comes from equipping yourself with the tools to feel empowered in all of life’s challenges.

A sustainable growth strategy means moving away from burnout cycles and embracing practices that restore and support your energy. It’s about building resilience, creating balance, and developing habits that help you thrive—not just get by.

Growth Requires Honest Questions

If your honest answer feels hard to accept, remember: self-awareness is the first step to change. Ask yourself:

• What choices did I make repeatedly this year? Were they aligned with the life I truly want to create?

• Where did I invest my time and energy? Did I prioritize what mattered most to me, or did I sacrifice my needs for external expectations?

• What am I most proud of—and why? This isn’t about accomplishments for others; it’s about what lit you up.

"We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are." – Max De Pree

The Invitation to Grow

Whether you cruised, stagnated, or grew, this is your opportunity to recalibrate. Growth is a choice you can make today—no matter how last year unfolded.

• If you cruised: What’s one area where you can challenge yourself to dream bigger or take a bold step forward?

• If you stagnated: What’s one belief, habit, or pattern you’re ready to release to make room for something new?

• If you grew: How can you celebrate your progress and build on it to keep expanding your potential?

Here’s the Truth

Life isn’t meant to be a constant upward climb. It’s a cycle of seasons—times to rest, times to plant, times to nurture, and times to harvest. Growth happens when we commit to living with intention, even in the seasons of stillness.

So as you step into this new year, I challenge you to move beyond simply getting through it. Make it a year of living fully. Choose clarity over autopilot. Prioritize growth over comfort. Align your life with your values and your deepest desires.

Because here’s the thing: powering through might get you through a day, a week, or even a year. But it won’t give you the life you truly want. Empowerment comes from creating a foundation of balance, resilience, and intentional action.

You’ve made it this far. The question is, how will you show up for yourself moving forward?

"You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." – Martin Luther King Jr.

What’s one thing you’ll do differently this year to improve the quality of your life?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!