A Simple End-of-Year Reflection Guide: Exercises to Help You Reprioritize What Matters in 2026
- Jessica Frank
- Nov 20
- 4 min read
By Jessica & Johnathan Frank — The Cherished Home Group
Every December, as the pace slows and the year comes to a close, many of us feel that quiet nudge to look back at where we’ve been and look ahead at where we want to go. Reflection takes intention, and it’s something that has shaped our lives in a very real way.
For years now, Johnathan and I have set aside time at the end of each year to reflect, talk openly, and get honest about what matters most to us. We ask:
• What went well this year?
• Where did we grow?
• What’s worth carrying into the new year?
• And what needs to change so our actions match our values?
That simple rhythm has shaped every part of our lives.
It’s helped us strengthen our marriage.
It’s guided our decision to buy investment properties.
It’s helped us be more present with our kids in the ways that matter most to us.
And it’s helped us build businesses in both Tennessee and California with purpose instead of pressure.
There’s a well-known quote attributed to Bill Gates that says, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in five.”
That has proven true for our family. Every year we create small, steady goals — and when we look back over the past five years, the cumulative impact is bigger than anything we imagined.
This past year, our focus was on helping our kids root deeply into life here in Tennessee — new friends, new routines, new rhythms — and pouring our energy into turning our fixer-upper into a home. It was a year of settling in, building foundations, and creating stability.
But next year, our focus gets to shift a little. For Johnathan and me, 2026 is about prioritizing our health, nurturing meaningful adult friendships, and intentionally building the kind of community we want to belong to. None of these things happen by accident. They grow when you take time to reflect, to realign, and to choose them on purpose.
Those reflection conversations have changed everything for us — so we wanted to share a few simple tools you can use to create your own reflection ritual at home.
Tools for your end-of-year reflection guide:
1. YearCompass: A Free Guided Workbook
YearCompass is a beautifully simple, free workbook designed to help you close out one year and step into the next with clarity.
What it guides you through:
• Your biggest wins
• Moments that shaped you
• Habits to build or release
• What you want more of
• What no longer serves you
Most people complete it in one quiet evening — tea, candle, blanket encouraged.
Find it here: yearcompass.com
2. “The ONE Thing” Annual Questions
This isn’t a formal retreat — it’s just a framework we love. One question sits at the center:
“What’s the ONE thing I can do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?”
We apply this to:
• Family goals
• Money habits
• Home projects
• Business strategy
• Personal growth
• Health and routines
Focusing on one thing at a time keeps life from feeling overwhelming — and it sets the tone for a year that feels intentional, not chaotic.
3. The Wheel of Life Exercise
If you’re someone who likes a visual, this is a great place to start.
Rate each area of life on a scale of 1–10:
• Family
• Health
• Finances
• Work
• Fun & recreation
• Home environment
• Community
• Personal growth
Seeing it on paper often reveals what you’ve been feeling in your gut. Here is a link to a free editable wheel.
4. A Simple Reflection Ritual for Families
Reflection doesn’t have to be serious or complicated. Here’s a light, meaningful activity you can do with your partner, kids, or close friends:
Ask each person:
• What was your favorite memory from this year?
• What made you feel proud?
• What do you want more of next year?
• What’s something we should do together as a family or group?
You’ll be surprised how deeply these simple questions resonate.
5. Quick Prompts for Busy People
If you don’t have an hour, these prompts still create clarity:
• What energized me this year?
• What drained me?
• What routines supported my well-being?
• What memory meant the most to me?
• What do I want next year to feel like?
• What’s one small action I can take to move toward that feeling?
Here’s to Your Next Chapter
Reflection isn’t about fixing things — it’s about noticing what matters and choosing it again.
Our family is stepping into 2026 with a renewed focus on health, relationships, and being rooted in community. Whatever your next year holds, we hope these end-of-year reflection guide tools help you find clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose.
And if a home-related decision is part of your next chapter — whether you’re remodeling, relocating, downsizing, investing, or dreaming — we’re here whenever you need us.
You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Johnathan & Jessica Frank
The Cherished Home Group
Real Broker
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