The last week of December has a special kind of quiet to it. The holidays slow down, the kids play with their new toys, the house is a little messy but peaceful… and for the first time all month, you can breathe.
This is when I love to journal - reflecting on the blessings of the year, the challenges I overcame, and the moments that shaped me. It’s grounding. It’s healing. And it’s something I think every mom deserves to experience before stepping into a brand new year.
If you’re looking for a gentle way to close out 2025 with clarity, here are a few mindful practices you can do from your couch, your porch, your bed, or wherever you find your quiet.
As moms, we sometimes rush through our own achievements. But girl… you did a lot this year.
You cared for your family, your home, your business, yourself - even on the days you didn’t feel like you could.
Write down:
Big wins
Small victories
Moments you surprised yourself
Times you kept going even when it was hard
Things you’re proud of from 2025
Even if your list feels “simple,” trust me - it’s not.
Every year comes with challenges - some loud, some quiet - and moms carry so much of that emotional load.
Use your journal to honor everything you pushed through, learned, or released.
Try these prompts:
What challenged me this year?
What did I learn about myself?
What did I let go of that I needed to release?
What strength surprised me?
This is a powerful way to see your own growth in real time.
This isn’t about pretending the year was perfect - it’s about noticing the things that made you smile, soften, or feel supported.
List anything that felt like a blessing in 2025:
Moments with your kids
Opportunities you received
New routines or habits
People who showed up
Signs, synchronicities, prayers answered
This practice always reminds me how guided and held I truly am.
Not resolutions. Not pressure.
Just quiet intentions based on how you want to feel in 2026.
Think:
Peace
Energy
Abundance
Connection
Creativity
Healing
Joy
Write a sentence that begins with:
“In 2026, I welcome…”
Let it be soft but powerful.
Turn your reflection time into something sacred:
Light a candle
Sit on the couch with a cozy blanket
Play soft music
Make tea or cocoa
Put your phone away
Breathe deeply
Let your mind slow down long enough to hear your own heart.
This is the kind of self-care that actually shifts your energy.
Give them a simple sheet of paper and let them write or draw:
Their favorite moment of 2025
Their biggest lesson
What they want to do in 2026
You can even keep these in a folder to look back on year after year.
You don’t need a big ritual or fancy journal to welcome the new year with gratitude - just a moment of stillness and honesty.
When you look back at what you’ve walked through, what you’ve created, and who you’ve become… stepping into 2026 will feel lighter, clearer, and more intentional.
Give yourself the grace to slow down, reflect, and honor your own journey. You deserve it.
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Amber Bowie
Author