My Favorite End of the Year Practices That Don't Have To Be Done By Dec 31 ( whew)
And armfuls of gratitude for joining me here as we close out 2024
Hi, Sweet Friends -
This end-of-year membership email is typically something I share exclusively with my paid subscribers, but today, I feel compelled to make it available to everyone.
I wanted to ensure that every subscriber had the chance to read this because this moment feels bigger than a single message. It’s about fostering connection, expressing heartfelt gratitude, and embracing the shared intention of stepping into the new year with clarity, purpose, and hope.
Your presence here is something I hold close to my heart. Every time you’ve opened one of my emails, shared your thoughts, or simply allowed my words to be part of your day, it has been an act of trust and generosity. In a world that constantly vies for your attention, I don’t take for granted that you’ve given some of that precious energy to this space we share. It means the world to me.
This year, your support has been a source of light, whether through your kind messages, thoughtful reflections, or silent presence that I know is there, even if we’ve never directly interacted. You’ve reminded me of the power of community—the way we can lift each other, inspire each other, and create a collective space of authenticity and growth.
So, as I send this letter, I do so with immense gratitude for each of you. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just joined; your presence matters, and I am deeply honored to share this journey with you. Thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of life, creativity, and self-discovery.
End of the Year Practices and Reflection
If you’ve been online this week, you’ve likely seen a flood of ideas and videos about planning for 2025—and it can feel overwhelming. I get it. And yet, I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t intentionally plan for my priorities, they often don’t happen. But most of what is out there is so rah-rah intense. We can do things differently. It’s up to us to carve out space for what truly matters, and only you can decide what’s most important for the year ahead. To do that, we need to pause, get still, reflect on the past year, and lean into what’s calling us in the next.
To help, I’ll be sharing my own planning process, which I’ve refined over the years to make it meaningful and manageable. I’ll also share two videos I’ve found particularly helpful and not overwhelming—they offer practical, grounded approaches to reflecting on the past year and planning for the one ahead. My hope is that these resources will encourage you to create space for what matters most to you as you step into 2025.
If you know me, you know that I don’t limit myself to the last few days of December to reflect on the previous year or plan for the next one. I give myself the entire month of January to truly lean into this process. January, for me, is a time of spaciousness—a season to pause, listen, and let clarity emerge naturally instead of rushing into resolutions or rigid plans. This rhythm has taught me to honor my own pace and allow reflection to unfold with depth and intention.
This season invites us to reflect deeply—not just on what we want to do, but on who we want to become. What are the values that whispered to you in the quieter moments of 2024? What dreams did you tuck away because life got busy, or fear crept in, or you felt unsure about the “how”? Before you chart out any goals, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: What have I learned this past year? What has shifted in my heart, and how do I want to carry that wisdom forward?
Planning isn't just about filling up a calendar; it's about creating a life that aligns with the truth of who you are.
For me, that looks like intentionally carving out time for creative work, nurturing relationships, and staying grounded in my spiritual practices. It also means learning to hold space for the unexpected and trusting that flexibility can be a partner to structure.
As we step into this new year, I also want to take a moment to thank you for your support over the past year. Whether you’ve walked alongside me in creative projects, joined me for labyrinth walks, read my words, or simply cheered me on from afar, I am deeply grateful for you. Your encouragement and presence have meant the world to me and remind me daily of the beauty of connection and community.
So, sweet friends, as you consider what 2025 might look like, start by getting still. Reflect on the rhythms that nourished you this year and the areas where you felt depleted. Think about the things that light you up and the moments that felt like home to your soul. That’s where your priorities live. That’s where the magic of your upcoming year begins.
Here’s to a year where we lean into what matters most—with clarity, courage, and a deep sense of purpose. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
With love,
xo Mary
UPDATE ON MY MEMOIR:
BIG NEWS! I have submitted my full written proposal and my video pitch to the Hay House Writers Contest. Winners announced on Feb 15. I just shared my video publicly, so If you’d like to support my author journey and help bring my book into the world, please visit, like, and comment. This helps Hay House see that there is interest in my book.
Go here: Watch my video pitch to Hay House THANK YOU! It really does help.
3 THINGS WORTH SHARING:
Mel Robbin’s end-of-year process is real, down-to-earth, personal and worth a listen. I really like her approach which starts with looking through your camera roll for highlights of your year. Great process to do alone, with your partner, or with family. It all starts within. Here are her primary questions, but listening to her own personal responses was helpful:
1. Describe the highlights from the past year.
2. What were some of the hardest parts this year?
3. What did you learn about yourself this year?
4. What are you going to stop doing in the next year?
5. What are you going to start doing?
6. What are you going to continue doing next year?
7. What can you do today to take that first step now that you have a set of directions?
Big A## Calendar video. Catchy name, right?
This calendar was on my wish list, and I found it under the tree this year. It’s a dry-erase wall calendar but you could make your own version. There is something so satisfying ( for me) and helpful in seeing my whole year at once. Tip: this is not your work calendar, this is for crafting a year you love and planning for your priorities: Family time, friendships, adventures, dates, retreats - whatever you want to make sure you get to do in 2025.
In 2022, I discovered a process from Austin Kleon and I have since adapted it to make it my own. Each year, I’ve found this simple, reflective practice to be a grounding way to close one chapter and prepare for the next. I’ll be sharing my 2024 list of 100 Memorable Moments in early January, but for now, I wanted to offer a little insight into how this process works and why it has become such an essential part of my year-end routine.
Throughout December, whenever I can carve out a moment, I begin jotting down highlights and events that have mattered to me over the past year, but you can begin anytime. These aren’t limited to grand milestones—they can be anything from a significant breakthrough to a quiet walk in my neighborhood. Big or small, these moments carry meaning, and as you already know, there are no “little” things when it comes to the heart.
This approach is the most relaxed and easeful way I’ve found to reflect on the past year. It allows me to savor moments I may have otherwise forgotten, stringing them together like prayer beads. Recently, I’ve paired this with additional insights from Mel Robbins’ year-in-review process, which adds a layer of focus to identifying lessons and growth. I also love Jesse Itzler’s “Big A## Calendar” approach, which brings an energizing sense of intention and bold dreaming into the new year.
No matter how you choose to reflect on the past and dream about the future, I encourage you to find a practice that feels true to you. Maybe it’s listing memorable moments, journaling lessons learned, or crafting a vision for the year ahead. The key is to pause, reflect, and honor the path that has brought you to this moment—because every step has mattered.
As we close out 2024 and look forward to 2025, let’s embrace this season with intention, gratitude, and the quiet courage to dream. Here’s to cherishing what has been and leaning into what’s yet to come.
xo Mary
Just a reminder: If you’d like to allocate some time in January to learn more about a contemplative approach to your year, please join me and my friends at The Centering Prayer Summit. More info here. The $99 Early Bird price increases on January 2nd, so be sure to register by the 1st if you plan to attend. Scholarships available.
Happy, beautiful, intentional, loving new year, friends!
Other places to find me:
Website: https://www.marythoma.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammayyoube/
©Mary Thoma 2024
All rights reserved.