One constant during my 30 years of teaching is that the break from school at the end of the calendar year – winter for me and summer for my Southern Hemisphere friends – comes at just the right time. Leaving for school in the dark, arriving home in the dark, the end of a long semester of teaching (and the behavior of a few students) all have me yearning for a few weeks at home with family, seasonal fun, and the opportunity to reflect on the 12 months that came before me.

While my younger self would have encouraged teachers with “Let’s finish strong,” “Push on through,” or “Crush those final few weeks,” …each message erring a little too close to toxic positivity, my older, more reflective self nudges a more contemplative, authentic, and nuanced message; it’s more emotionally inclusive, and these two social posts shared below continue to resonate strongly with me:

We all have different emotional responses based on our circumstances, challenges and joys, glows and groans. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel right now, but this time of year encourages us to be self-aware and acknowledge our emotions. Accepting and acknowledging our feelings contributes to our emotional growth and well-being.

I also appreciate this post from Dr. Caroline Leaf. Her message encourages a more balanced, mindful approach to the end of the year, rejecting the pressure to constantly achieve and advocating a mindset that prioritizes gratitude, relaxation, and intentional pacing. A younger me felt that success was solely measured by continuous striving and accomplishment. Now, I appreciate that constantly being in a state of productivity can contribute to anxiety and stress. That rest is not just a break from work but an essential element in problem-solving and maintaining mental and emotional health. As Ben Alldis, one of my favorite Peloton instructors, likes to say, self-care is never selfish.

As I reflect on the past 12 months, I’m returning to the same 10 prompts I have used in past years. Here are some of my thoughts, along with reasons why each question is so effective for fostering reflection, connection, and planning for the year ahead.

1. If you had to describe the past year in one word, what would you choose? What events made you choose that word? I could have said grueling, as this was a 12-month period in which I said yes to many time-intensive professional projects. Keynotes and conferences, writing and reflections, content creation and collaborations. Alliteration aside, all of my projects have come to an end, and I now get to reap the benefit of seeing them all come to fruition. Look out for my chapter contributions in two new books in 2026. I’ll describe 2025 as ‘successful’.

This prompt is simple yet powerful. Distilling an entire year into one word challenges us to reflect on overarching themes and highlights the events that defined our experiences. It sets the tone for introspection and lays the groundwork for deeper analysis in later prompts. My annual #OneWord blog post is ALWAYS popular, and is also a student-friendly activity to do at the start of the new year. I’m already thinking about my #OneWord for 2026 and am currently leaning towards ‘slow’.

2. What were your achievements from the past year that made you most proud? This question celebrates success and fosters gratitude. Reflecting on achievements, big or small, helps to build confidence and remind us of our growth. This type of reflection is also the perfect antidote for when you are experiencing imposter syndrome, plus it’s also a good way to identify what brought us joy or fulfillment—a theme we’ll revisit later.

I’m proud of my ability to carve out time to write longer content than my typical blog posts. Contributing to two books, writing over 4000 words applying for something at school, helping with curriculum design, serving on the board of directors for SHAPE America, all while juggling family commitments? I am proud of how I navigated the past 12 months.

3. Which events from the past year proved to be most challenging? How did you deal with them? Teachers often ask how I manage to do all of the things. Remaining visible on social media and continuing to create content in the 10th year of the slowchathealth.com site gives the impression that I am always hustling, and perhaps I am. Time management remains a challenge for me, and I fill all of my prep periods at school with lesson planning, assignment grading, and curriculum planning. My goal is to take little to no work home during the school week. A key to my success, and one of the reasons why I appear to be so busy, is that I am also intentional about carving out time for self-care. Finding time for meditation, reading, stretching, or a Peloton ride are all reasons why I have the energy and motivation to continue my approach to life.

Acknowledging challenges is essential for learning and growth. This prompt encourages self-awareness and resilience by focusing not just on obstacles but on how we responded. It often links back to achievements, as overcoming difficulties can be among our proudest moments.

4. In what ways did your life move closer toward the life for which you aim? This question invites us to consider progress—personally, professionally, or both. It’s a reminder that even small steps count, and it aligns with earlier prompts about challenges and achievements. Together, these reflections can reveal patterns and areas for continued growth.

Life is a journey, and I’m confident that I’m closer to becoming the person I want to be. I look forward to many more years of self-improvement. That said, my keynote talks about the different stages teachers pass through over the course of their careers, and I’m conscious that I’m entering the final stage: preparing for retirement. My goal is to leave behind a body of work and a positive reputation when I retire. I’m confident I am moving in the right direction.

5. What brought you joy this past year? One of my favorite books from the past 12 months is Protect the Joy: A Positive, Collaborative Approach to Youth Sport by Dr. Amanda Stanec. If you are involved in youth sports or know someone who is, you must buy this book. This one is for all of us who ‘trust the process’. I experience joy whenever I watch my two young sons play sports. You can find me at the end of the sideline, typically away from others, watching them grow as athletes and young men.

This prompt shifts focus to the positive, emphasizing the importance of joy in our lives. It’s often connected to achievements and progress, reinforcing the value of celebrating even the smallest moments of happiness.

6. Who made the biggest impact on your life this past year, and how did they inspire or support you? This prompt highlights the importance of reflecting on relationships and the support systems in our lives. Recognizing these connections fosters gratitude and often reveals the depth of their impact. I regularly acknowledge family, friends, and educators who inspire me and continue to play a positive role in my journey. I’ll use this time to also give a shout out to those in my brains trust.

7. What caused you most stress, and how did you cope with stressors?
This question encourages us to evaluate our stressors and assess the strategies we used to handle them. Understanding how we managed stress helps identify areas of personal resilience and areas for improvement in coping strategies.

I have been very intentional about self-care since the pandemic. I’m cognizant of the nudges that my mind and body give me throughout the day. Chewing my lip? Something is on my mind. Tight shoulders? I haven’t moved for a while. Headache? I’m dehydrated. Heart racing? I need some ‘me-time’.

8. How active were you during the past year? Were you as active as you planned to be?
This prompt offers a chance to reflect on physical activity and its connection to overall well-being, encouraging an evaluation of priorities and intentions. This question is about recognizing opportunities missed or experiences that could have been prioritized. It provides insight into where you want to direct your energy in the future. Despite my love of all things Peloton, I need be more active next year because I’m starting to feel (but not look!) my age.

9. In what ways did you positively impact those around you?
This question encourages reflection on the ways you contributed to the lives of others. Recognizing how you’ve supported, inspired, or uplifted those around you fosters a sense of purpose and reinforces the value of meaningful connections. I’m more aware now than ever before of my impact on those around me (and I’m thankful for the inclusion of ‘self and others‘ in the new SHAPE America National Health Standards). I was recently recognized as a ‘leader teacher’ at school, and providing evidence of my impact in the school and community was something included in the application.

I also think that the hugely successful 6th annual microblog event on this site is evidence of the community I have built and the space I have created for others to share their voice.

10. What would you change from last year if you were handed a re-do?
This prompt allows for honest self-assessment and invites thoughtful reflection on decisions or actions that didn’t turn out as planned. It provides a chance to learn from the past and consider how to approach similar situations differently in the future. I typically live life without regrets, but am aware of my shortcomings and changes that I need to embrace in order to live life to the fullest.

These prompts have served as a reflective anchor for me, and I hope they inspire you to take stock of your year and plan for the next. Reflection is not just about looking back; it’s about using what we’ve learned to move forward intentionally. Whether you’re looking forward to a well-deserved break or facing the season with mixed emotions, you are part of a global community of educators making a lasting impact, and for that, I am thankful. Here’s to a mindful and meaningful year ahead!

Last year I created a tongue-in-cheek gift guide for teachers. The suggestions are still great, and the links (including discount codes) are still valid.

If you’re looking for additional resources, the Calm blog recently shared their annual Holiday Journal, a mix of practical mindfulness tips and contemplation prompts to cultivate more peace and joy.

Here are some end of year recommendations for you:

I really enjoyed Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder’s Talk To Your Boys book, both as an educator and as a father of boys.

My favorite podcast to guest on (alongside Megaera Regan) was the Meaningful Podcast Experience.

My soundtrack to 2025 (all of the songs that caught my ear this year).

Now that you have read this post, here are five questions for you to consider. I’ll push these out on social media – slowchat style:

Q1. How often do you set aside time to reflect on your experiences? What do you gain from these moments? #slowchathealth

Q2. What advice would you give someone who struggles to make time for reflection? #slowchathealth

Q3. Was there a moment this year when you felt especially connected to your purpose as an educator? What made it stand out? #slowchathealth

Q4. If you could thank one person for their influence on your year, who would it be and why? #slowchathealth

Q5. Looking ahead to next year, what is one habit or mindset you’d like to carry forward from this year? #slowchathealth