Breaking the Spiral: Reflecting on Progress as the New Year Nears

As the new year approaches, I can’t help but feel the pull of “not enough.” Did I spend enough time with my family? Did I do enough? Did I reach the goals I set? These thoughts creep in every year, and it’s so easy to get stuck in that spiral.

For me, the “spiral” doesn’t just stop at wondering if I’ve done enough. It can pull me so deep that it feeds my self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. I start questioning whether I’m capable, whether I’m deserving of success, and whether the effort I’ve put in has even been worth it.

The hardest part is that the spiral often leads me to repeat cycles year after year — setting ambitious goals, pushing hard, and then ending the year feeling like I’ve fallen short. It’s a defeating and isolating pattern, one that’s hard to break when you’re caught in the rush of life. But this year, I’m trying something different.

Shifting the Focus: Pause and Reflect

This year, I’m making a conscious choice to break that cycle. Instead of letting the spiral take over, I’m stopping to pause and reflect.

When I pause, I realize something important: I’ve been so focused on what I didn’t accomplish that I’ve completely overlooked how far I’ve come. Reflection allows me to shift my perspective — noticing the wins, the growth, and the small steps forward that I might otherwise dismiss.

It’s not always easy. The spiral doesn’t just disappear overnight, but when I take the time to reflect, it quiets. I start to see the truth: every little effort I’ve made, every imperfect step, has added up to meaningful progress. And that’s something worth celebrating.

Personal Examples of Progress

When I take the time to reflect, I see just how much I’ve accomplished this year — things I never would have imagined a year ago.

I completed my coursework in life coaching, logged the requisite hours, and passed my exams. That alone felt monumental, but I didn’t stop there. I dove into a 21-day Business Launch pad, followed by additional business courses. I’ve written business plans, defined my niche and ideal client avatar, and refined my mission and vision.

And here’s the big one: I started my blog and social media accounts — steps that scared me but felt necessary to share my journey and connect with others.

All of this while working full-time and raising four increasingly busy kids. Keeping my family informed and involved has been a huge part of this process. Funny story: My kids got so tired of me showing them logos to vote on that they finally revolted! (For the record, none of those logos made the cut. In the end, a friend jumped in, saved the day, and created my logo and website.)

The support I’ve received from my family has been incredible. My husband, who’s never read a personal development book in his life (and had no idea what life coaching is), has stepped up for me in ways I never expected. Today, he’s learning how to manage my website — something I never dreamed he’d take an interest in.

Conclusion and Call to Action

When I pause and reflect on all of this, it’s clear that I’ve come so much farther than I give myself credit for. The spiral of self-doubt and “not enough” can be so loud, but when I take the time to notice the steps I’ve taken, it quiets.

The truth is, every effort I’ve made — whether it felt big or small at the time — has added up to real progress. Progress that isn’t always perfect, but is always worth celebrating.

As we approach the new year, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What steps have you taken this year? What wins, big or small, can you celebrate?

Write them down, say them out loud, or share them with someone who supports you. And if you’d like, I’d love to hear them, too. Let’s celebrate progress together. ❤️

Here’s to pausing, reflecting, and stepping into the new year with gratitude for how far we’ve come.