5 questions to ask yourself before the year ends

November is that funny in-between month. The excitement of December isn’t quite here yet, but the energy of the year has started to fade. Before we slip into holiday mode, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset.

A “November check-in” helps you close out the year feeling proud of what you’ve done - and prepared for what’s next. Here are 5 powerful questions to guide your reflection, along with tips for making the most of the final stretch of 2025.

1. What did I achieve this year that I’m proud of?

It’s easy to rush into the next goal without pausing to celebrate the progress you’ve already made. Achievements don’t have to be huge milestones - they can be small wins that added up.

👉 How to make the most of it:

• Write down your top 3 proudest moments in health, fitness, or personal growth.
  
  

• Share one with a friend or your community - it reinforces that it matters.
  
  

• Use this list as motivation to keep showing up through the year’s end.
  
  

2. Where did I surprise myself?

Think about the times you went beyond what you expected of yourself. Maybe you nailed a PB in the gym, got consistent with meal prep, or pushed through a tough season.

👉 How to make the most of it:

• Identify the habits or mindset shifts that helped you achieve those surprises.
  
  

• Repeat them in November - if something worked once, it can work again.
  
  

• Set one small “stretch goal” for the next four weeks that leans into this new confidence.
  

3. What challenges did I face, and how did I handle them?

Setbacks happen - but they teach us resilience. Instead of beating yourself up for dips in motivation or consistency, reframe them as practice runs for how you’ll handle future obstacles.

👉 How to make the most of it:

• Write down one challenge you faced and what helped you get through it.
  
  

• Ask yourself: If this comes up again during the holidays, how can I respond better?
  
  

• Create a mini “plan B” (e.g. if I miss a workout, I’ll do a 20-minute walk).
  
  

4. Which habits are serving me - and which aren’t?

Daily actions create your results. Notice what’s supporting your goals versus what’s draining your energy. The aim isn’t perfection - it’s awareness.

👉 How to make the most of it:

• Circle the 2–3 habits that help you feel your best (e.g. protein at breakfast, 3x workouts, journaling). Commit to keeping them through November.
  
  

• Pick 1 habit that isn’t serving you (e.g. late-night scrolling, skipping rest days) and create a small swap (e.g. reading before bed, weekly rest check-in).
  
  

• Remember: consistency in just a handful of habits can carry you through the busiest time of year.
  
  

5. What do I want to carry into next year?

Think of it like packing for a trip - you don’t need to bring everything, just the essentials that matter most. By clarifying this now, you’ll avoid the pressure of a January “all-or-nothing” reset.

👉 How to make the most of it:

• Write down 3 habits, routines, or mindsets you want to keep.
  
  

• Start practicing them now instead of waiting for January.
  
  

• Create a “vision statement” for how you want to enter the new year (e.g. I want to feel strong, balanced, and proud of my consistency).
  
  

✨ Final Word:
 The November check-in isn’t about criticism - it’s about clarity. By pausing now, you’ll finish the year not in burnout, but with momentum, self-awareness, and confidence. Instead of waiting for the new year to “start fresh,” you’ll roll into it already aligned with your goals. Let's make the end of 2025 count!