Before You Set 2026 Goals: A Reflective New Year Guide for Midlife Women

It’s tempting to jump straight into goal-setting when January rolls around.
A new year. A fresh planner. A blank page.

But before you rush into what’s next, I want to invite you to pause.

Midlife isn’t about reinvention—it’s about realignment.
And realignment starts with reflection.

When we take time to look back and honor our growth, we don’t just gain clarity…
We reclaim the wisdom we’ve earned.

Even if this year didn’t go exactly as planned, I’m willing to bet there were wins.
Moments of courage. Lessons learned. New boundaries set. Tiny shifts that added up.

You deserve to name those.

So before you make one more to-do list for 2026, light a candle, pour your favorite drink, and spend a few minutes with these prompts.

5 Journal Prompts to Reflect on 2025

1.  What are three things I’m proud of this year?
   Big or small—what did you do that made you pause and think: “I did that”?
   Maybe it was starting therapy, taking a solo trip, having a hard conversation, or showing up for someone you love. Own it.
2.  Where did I grow the most?
   Think about the hardest moments or the biggest shifts.
   What did they teach you? How are you different now because of them?
3.  What did I say no to… and how did that create space for something better?
   This is especially powerful in midlife, when letting go often makes room for deeper alignment.
4.  What surprised me about myself this year?
   Did you handle something better than expected?
   Try something new? Find strength in a situation you used to avoid?
5.  What’s one lesson I want to carry into 2026?
   Let this be your anchor as you move forward.
   Not another “should,” but something that feels deeply true.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before the clock strikes midnight.

But you do deserve a moment to pause… to honor who you’ve become…
And to step into the new year from a place of grounded self-awareness.

You’ve come further than you think.
Let’s build the next chapter on a foundation of reflection—not pressure. 

Want more support for a reflective start to 2026?
Download the free Midlife Balance Wheel to help you assess where you are and where you want to go next.

And if you’d rather see it in action, join me for my 6-part “No Resolution New Year” series on social media. All week I’m walking through simple ways to use the Midlife Balance Wheel, along with short, practical tips to help you reflect before you plan.
You can watch the series on Instagram and on Facebook.