An end of year reflection that will make you feel warm & fuzzy inside

thank you, more please

We’re about to be inundated with 2026 prep content: vision boards, astrological predictions, words of the year, goal setting, numerology, the year of the horse, Etsy witch predictions…

But before you lean in, don’t forget to look back! We completed another lap around the sun and though 2025 felt capital B BLEAK at times, it was also glittered with a lot of moments worth celebrating once more.

So, here’s the end-of-year reflection ritual you should add to your agenda for that week between Christmas and New Years where everything feels slow.

PART 1: ROMANTICIZE YOUR YEAR IN REVIEW.

Create an album on your phone titled Best of 2025 (or whatever clever iteration of such verbiage you decide).

Open up your photos on your phone and type ‘January 2025’ into the search bar. Scroll through the catalogue of photos and videos and notice what stands out and sparks joy. Add those photos to your Best Of album and repeat with each month of the year.

You’ll notice that some months there will be an endless amount of amazing moments to choose from. Others will have you looking at your daily routine with softer, more inquisitive eyes. Suddenly, the beautiful pink roses you passed on your way to work in April actually were worth stopping for!

Don’t feel like only aesthetic, Insta-worthy pictures need to go in this album. I added a screenshot of a DM that a (male) friend sent me in response to a Substack article I wrote. It made me feel really good. So into the album it went.

snippets of 2025

PART 2: THANK YOU, MORE PLEASE.

A few years ago I saw a video of a girl who said her favorite game to play with the universe was Thank You, More Please.

Essentially, when something good happened to her—especially if it was unexpected or spontaneous—she would whisper to the universe “thank you! more please!” to energetically let the world know she was happy to receive that moment and would like some more.

It’s a little phrase that seems to pop into my mind when something great happens to me. And it’s become a tradition for my end of year journaling prompt.

So, grab a pen and paper or open a fresh Google doc and ask yourself:

• What are are the moments you’re thankful for?

• What are you asking for more of, please?

• What were the BIG, easy moments you celebrated this year? The photos that easily went into the album.

• Which months were the hardest, and what little joys stuck out despite that?

• What recurring themes are in your Best Of album? Friends, travel, settings, etc.

• If did you set goals or chose a word of the year, can you see them in the photos?

WHAT’S IN A YEAR?

I made my album and did my journaling and realized that on a personal level, I reallllly loved this year. For the first time in awhile I felt incredibly present and connected to myself, my friends, my family, my work, and my surroundings. The images I selected helped me see that.

Going into 2025 I didn’t make a vision board or set a bunch of goals or choose a word of the year. I didn’t deep dive into my astrological chart and most surprisingly, I didn’t journal at all; a self-care practice that I have enjoyed my entire life. I didn’t want to overcomplicate things for myself. I needed a little break from what felt like two years of non-stop chasing. I just wanted to enjoy this particular life moment and be happy. And I’m so glad I listened to that inner voice because 12 months later, that’s exactly how I feel.

Im not sure I would have realized all this had I not taken the time to properly look back at the last 12 months and recount all the beautiful life moments and blessings that defined them!

This is me encouraging you to do the same… and to remind you that being simply happy is a really gorgeous & important goal for the year ahead :)

xx Caylee