Self-discovery and identity

A Year In Review | How to Reflect on 2024 to Make 2025 Amazing

Before stepping into 2025, take time to reflect on 2024—celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and gaining clarity for the year ahead. This guide will help you turn reflection into a powerful tool for growth, so you can step into 2025 with intention and confidence!

2024 was a year that changed me. It was the year I stepped into my Saturn return—unearthing truths, facing myself with more honesty, and seeing life from a higher, more grounded perspective. Turning 28 felt like standing on top of a quiet hill, looking back at everything that’s brought me here. Every win, every loss, every stretch of growth—it all mattered.

Some moments felt like breakthroughs. Others felt like unraveling. But in hindsight, it all served a purpose. Growth rarely announces itself in real time. Most of the time, it shows up quietly—through lessons we didn’t know we were learning.

But here’s the thing: reflection isn’t just about glancing back. It’s about gathering what we’ve learned and carrying it forward with clarity, courage, and intention.

So now, I want to shift the spotlight to you.
How has 2024 shaped you? What did it teach you—about yourself, your values, your boundaries, your heart?

Let’s walk through a simple, meaningful way to reflect on your past year—so you can step into 2025 feeling aligned, empowered, and ready for your next chapter.

Let’s begin.

how to reflect on the year

Why Reflecting on 2024 Matters

Let’s talk about why reflecting on 2024 matters and how it sets you up for personal success in the new year.

Looking back, it’s amazing how much growth can happen without us even realising it. Pausing for self-reflection reveals how your values have evolved, where your strengths lie, and how challenges have shaped you.

For me, 2024 was all about stepping outside my comfort zone and navigating the unknown. It was exhausting at times, but I kept reminding myself: This too shall pass. Reflecting on those moments now, I see a version of myself that is more resilient, grounded, and clear on what truly matters.

The Power of Self-Reflection

Self-reflection brings clarity and gratitude. It replaces the constant “Am I doing enough?” stress with pride and appreciation for how far you’ve come. Whether your steps were big or small, your growth is real and it’s worth celebrating.

If you’re looking for a structured way to reflect, journaling can be a powerful tool. Writing things down helps you process emotions, recognise progress, and set intentions for the future. If you need a starting point, try these 10 journaling prompts for self-growth and reflection.

Acknowledge Your Wins—Big and Small

Let’s begin by celebrating your wins. Every victory counts—whether it was achieving a goal, stepping out of your comfort zone, or choosing rest when you needed it.

Ask yourself:

  • What were your highlights?
  • Did you accomplish something meaningful?
  • Were there moments you surprised yourself with strength, kindness, or perseverance?
  • How did you grow—becoming more patient, setting boundaries, or letting go of what no longer served you?
  • What challenges did you overcome, and how did they shape your confidence?
 

Writing down these reflections helps you see just how far you’ve come and strengthens your vision for the future. Ready to go deeper? How to become your best self in 2025 to help you turn those reflections into action.

Reflecting on Challenges and Lessons Learned

Now let’s face the tough stuff. Revisiting your challenges might feel uncomfortable, but this is where true growth happens. It’s in those hard moments that you discover your strength, your grit, and your ability to rise.

Ask yourself:

  • What was the hardest moment of 2024, and how did you handle it?
  • What would you do differently if it happened in 2025?
  • What did this experience teach you about yourself, others, or life?
 

Acknowledging your challenges helps you uncover the lessons within them. Growth isn’t always a straight path, but it’s often built in these messy moments. When you’re ready to channel those lessons into tangible steps, this guide on how to set goals for yourself and stay motivated along the way can walk you through it.

Focusing on Areas for Growth

Now that you’ve honoured your wins and lessons, let’s look ahead. This is your moment to get intentional about what matters to you in 2025.

Growth starts with clarity. Whether you’re focusing on health, relationships, your career, or inner peace, you name it. Reflecting on where you need the most love and attention will guide your next steps.

Here are a few journal prompts to help shape your vision for the year ahead:

  • What area of my life needs the most care and focus (health, relationships, career, self-love)?
  • What habits or mindsets do I want to bring into 2025?
  • What’s one small step I can take today to move closer to my goals?
 

Once you have a clearer vision, creating a vision board can help you bring your vision to life, keeping you inspired and focused throughout the year. If you’re new to this, no worries! I will walk you through everything you need in this post.

My 2025 Focus

Reflecting on 2024, the biggest thing I’m taking with me into 2025 is a deeper commitment to embracing my authenticity, unapologetically.

This past year pushed me to confront parts of myself I hadn’t yet fully owned. There were moments where I felt the pressure to shrink, to play small, to be what others expected. But I stayed true to myself—and I’m so proud I did.

That choice, felt very hard at times but it built my confidence and shaped my direction. I’m stepping into 2025 grounded in who I am and ready to keep honouring that, even when the road is uncertain.

Before you go, I'll leave this with you…

Reflecting on 2024 isn’t about reliving every moment—it’s about understanding them. Learning from them. Using them as stepping stones to become who you’re meant to be.

Celebrate your wins. Own your lessons. And step into 2025 with intention and heart.

There’s no right or wrong way to reflect—just be honest with yourself and give yourself grace. You deserve that.

If you’re ready to set meaningful goals and create a vision for your future, how to become your best self and creating a vision board that represents that are the perfect places to begin.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with growth, alignment, and beautiful surprises. You’ve got this.

About me

The Voice Behind This Space

Where self-growth feels natural, inspiring, and achievable.

A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed, searching for deeper meaning. My curiosity about the world often left me with more questions than answers. As I moved through different seasons of life, I started connecting the dots and gaining clarity on who I am and what I wanted in life.

One pivotal moment caused me to pause, reflect, and ask myself: What does a fulfilling life look like for me? Embracing that realisation sparked a life-changing commitment to personal growth, which ultimately led me to create By Raina L.

Let’s do this thing called ‘growth’ together!

self growth journal

Featured

Want to start journaling in 2025 but don’t know where to begin? This step-by-step guide will help you tap into the transformative power of journaling and make it a meaningful part of your self-growth journey.