The Year in You: How to Write Your Own Personal Year in Review

Be honest: how many times has your year gone exactly the way you imagined back in January? Probably somewhere between “never” and “not even close.” That’s why the best way to wrap up the year isn’t with guilt over resolutions that you didn’t keep, but with curiosity and a little humor. A personal year in review will help you notice and appreciate how you’ve grown while highlighting what you’ve learned.

Here’s how to create your own Year in Review:

Step 1: Set the Scene

Pour your favorite drink and put on your go-to playlist. Sit down with a notebook or pull up a blank document on your tablet or laptop. Next, open the photo gallery on your phone. Now you’re ready to look back over the past 12 months. Try not to be too critical or judgmental. Keep an open mind as you have a conversation with yourself about what you’ve been through in 2025. Give it an hour and promise to be kind in your assessment.

Prompt idea:  What surprised you most about this year?

Step 2: The Highlight Reel

Think about the past year in terms of seasons. Was it a mild winter? What happened in the spring? Did you have a fabulous summer vacation? Did circumstances change in the fall? List the moments that made you laugh as well as the ones that caused you to be sad. Of course, you want to highlight the big wins, but the small ones matter too. Did you finally figure out how to use your air fryer? Did you manage to control your comments in the family group text?

Prompt idea: What did you accomplish that you’re proud of, even though nobody else noticed?

Step 3: The Plot Twists

Every year has unexpected detours. Perhaps you changed jobs. You may have lost someone. It might have been the year that you gained some valuable perspective. Maybe you finally admitted that you can’t keep a houseplant alive or that pickleball just isn’t your sport. List and reflect on each item and then consider what happened afterwards. Were you pushed toward something better? Did you make positive changes? Did something remind you that you’re tougher than you thought?

Prompt idea: What did this year teach you that you couldn’t have learned any other way?

Step 4: The Deleted Scenes

We all have moments we’d rather not replay: those awkward emails, bad haircuts or questionable text messages. Instead of pretending they didn’t happen, note what you can learn from them. Growth often hides in our mistakes. Looking back is helpful to keep us from making the same missteps.

Prompt idea: If you could give your January self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Step 5: The Coming Attractions

Now look ahead. Don’t make a list of rigid, unrealistic resolutions that will be impossible to keep. Instead, jot down three feelings you want more of next year, such as peace, adventure, connection or confidence. Brainstorm about what you can do to experience those feelings more often. Think of it as next year’s teaser trailer.

Prompt idea: What do you want “next year you” to thank “this year you” for starting?

Review your notes and see what story they tell. You might realize this year was a comedy, a drama or even a surprise comeback. Either way, it’s yours and that makes it worth celebrating.

Before you toast to 2026, take a bow for making it through 2025. You’ve earned your own standing ovation.