The year 2025 was a mixed bag for many of us. It brought joy, but also moments we would not have chosen for ourselves. That is precisely why it makes sense to pause for a moment and reflect on it. Not to judge or compare ourselves, but to notice what it has left within us.
Recap doesn't have to hurt
The word "recap" may sound strict, almost like a work deadline. But it can be a quiet, personal process. No tables, no results, no pressure to draw conclusions.
Just ask yourself a few simple questions:
- What made us feel good this year, and what exhausted us in the long run?
- In what ways were we more courageous than before, even if no one else noticed?
- What would we like to let go of a little sooner next time?
You may find that the biggest shift has not taken place at work, but in your relationships. In taking care of yourself. In allowing yourself to slow down or change direction. Or in learning to say "no." That, too, is growth worth noting.
- Did you know that... people who regularly write down short reflections (even just a few sentences a week) are more likely to notice their own progress and less likely to fall back into self-criticism? Not because they are doing better, but because they are able to view their experiences with greater perspective.
Gratitude is not overlooking difficult things
Gratitude is sometimes confused with obligatory optimism. But gratitude doesn't mean claiming that everything was fine. It means being able to see the good things alongside the difficult ones—not instead of them.
If 2025 wasn't a good year for you, it's okay to admit it. That's also part of an honest recap. Gratitude can then take the form of appreciating your own resilience, your ability to persevere, to care for others, or to remain sensitive.
If, on the other hand, you were successful, it is worth allowing yourself to feel that way. Don't dismiss it by saying it was just luck. Good times also have their weight and meaning.
Different perspectives help
We are not always able to define the whole year ourselves. It helps to hear other questions, other languages, other perspectives. This is where mentoring, coaching, and development programs come in.
Courses focused on strengths and finding personal meaning, offered by Ikigai.cz, help us better understand what we are naturally good at and what gives us long-term energy.
Working with improvisation can also be refreshing. Courses from Bafni teach us to respond to uncertainty, accept mistakes as part of the process, and be more flexible in situations that we do not fully control—a skill that we may have practiced more than we wanted to in the past year.
Those who prefer a more structured approach can take educational courses on platforms such as Brainee or Naučmese.cz. They offer topics ranging from personal development to communication to planning for the future in a way that is sustainable in the long term.
How to do a calm recap in real life
It is not necessary to complete the recap by the end of the year. For some people, it is natural to reflect during the holidays, while others find time for it in January. Both approaches are fine.
You can try, for example:
- Write down three things you are grateful for from the past year.
- Name one experience you want to carry forward.
- Identify one area where you will not put so much pressure on yourself in the coming year.
- Set aside time for yourself as seriously as you do for your work responsibilities.
If you are interested in writing or journaling, there is no need to write beautifully. Just write honestly.
What to bring into the next year
Maybe no big resolutions. Maybe just treating yourself a little more gently. Paying more attention to what recharges your batteries. Being willing to seek support—whether in conversation, a course, mentoring, or simple silence.
The year 2025 has taught us something. Even if it was "just" patience or the ability to get through a period of uncertainty. These seemingly small things are a good foundation for everything that lies ahead.
Whether you do this recap at the Christmas table, on a walk, or in the quiet of January, take it as an invitation. Not to perform, but to understand. That is perhaps the most valuable thing we can take away from the past year.
