ENDING WELL. A GREAT WAY TO CLOSE YOUR YEAR

Eme Arthur – Oso

As the year draws to a close, many people find themselves reflecting on the months gone by—analyzing successes and failures, contemplating lessons learned, and considering the journey ahead. For some, this can be a time of regret or uncertainty. Yet, the closing of a year is also an opportunity to end strong, to finish with clarity, gratitude, and a sense of accomplishment. In Ecclesiastes 7:8, it is written, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” This verse offers a profound reminder that how we close something—whether a year, a project, or a season of life—can be far more significant than how we began. As you approach the end of the year, here are some powerful ways to ensure you close it in a way that sets you up for future success and peace of mind.

Reflect with Clarity
To end the year strong, it’s essential to gain clarity on where you’ve been and where you want to go. Reflection allows you to understand what has worked, what hasn’t, and what you want to carry forward.
Start by reviewing the year. What goals did you set at the beginning? What did you achieve, and what might you have missed? Try to view these answers without judgment—look at them through the lens of learning rather than success or failure. This mindset fosters a sense of clarity that will help you close out the year with a deeper understanding of your journey.

Next, reflect on the things that brought you joy, fulfillment, and growth. Was it a new project, a relationship, or perhaps a personal development goal you achieved? Take stock of your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Ecclesiastes 7:8 reminds us that patience is key; sometimes, true growth only becomes apparent when we take a step back and reflect.

Cultivate Gratitude: Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools to end the year on a positive note. It shifts your focus from what was lacking or unsatisfactory to what has been good and enriching. Practicing gratitude doesn’t just enhance your emotional well-being—it also positions you to appreciate the progress you’ve made and to honor the lessons of the year.

To cultivate gratitude, make a list of people, experiences, or moments that have made a difference in your life. Thank the individuals who have supported you, and acknowledge the things that have contributed to your growth. Gratitude helps you move from an attitude of lack to one of abundance, creating a strong foundation for a positive new year.

One powerful practice of gratitude is to write a letter—either to yourself or to someone who impacted your year. Express what you learned and how you grew because of their presence in your life. This simple yet profound act can bring closure to the year and open your heart to new possibilities.

Celebrate Your Achievements
It’s easy to focus on what you didn’t accomplish or the challenges you faced. But part of closing the year with strength is celebrating what you did achieve. Achievement doesn’t always mean reaching every goal; sometimes, it’s about the progress made despite obstacles.

Take a moment to celebrate the milestones, big and small. Perhaps you completed a personal project, maintained good health, or forged meaningful relationships. Each achievement is a testament to your perseverance, and acknowledging them can help you end the year with a sense of accomplishment.
Ecclesiastes 7:8’s wisdom reminds us that the end of a matter is more important than its beginning. Acknowledging your achievements at the end of the year serves as a reminder that success is often not about how fast you start, but how well you finish. Ending the year strong doesn’t mean perfection—it means making peace with where you are and celebrating the progress you’ve made.

Let Go of Regret and Unfinished Business
As you reflect, it’s natural to encounter regret or disappointment about unmet expectations. However, carrying this emotional baggage into the new year can prevent you from moving forward with purpose. To end strong, it’s important to release the things that no longer serve you.

Think about any lingering grudges, regrets, or unresolved issues. Forgiveness—whether of others or yourself—can free you to start the next year with a clean slate. Recognizing that not everything will be resolved by the year’s end is part of embracing the reality of life’s ebb and flow. By letting go, you allow room for growth, new possibilities, and peace.

Set Intentions for the Future
The end of the year is a perfect time to set your intentions for the upcoming year. While New Year’s resolutions can sometimes feel daunting or overly ambitious, setting clear, achievable goals helps you move forward with purpose and confidence.

Take the lessons and experiences of the current year and use them as stepping stones for next year. Consider what you learned about yourself and how you can apply that wisdom to new endeavors. Whether it’s professional growth, personal development, or nurturing relationships, clarity on your goals and the steps to achieve them will give you a sense of direction and focus as you enter the new year.

Embrace Patience and Trust the Process
Ecclesiastes 7:8 also emphasizes the importance of patience. Often, we can become frustrated if things don’t go as planned or if progress seems slow. However, patience allows us to trust the process and understand that growth often happens in unseen ways. As you approach the end of the year, take a deep breath and remind yourself that things may not always unfold according to your timeline, but they are unfolding in their own perfect timing.

By practicing patience, you free yourself from unrealistic expectations and create space for grace to guide you into the new year. Trust that the seeds you’ve planted this year—through hard work, faith, and perseverance—will bear fruit in their own time.

Conclusion: Ending the year strong is not about perfection—it’s about finishing with clarity, gratitude, and achievement, while also acknowledging areas for growth and learning. By taking the time to reflect on what worked, what you’re grateful for, and what you’ve accomplished, you can close the year with a sense of peace and purpose.

As Ecclesiastes 7:8 teaches, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning.” How we finish matters, and by embracing the wisdom of this verse, we can ensure that we close the year with intention, positivity, and the knowledge that we’ve given our best. And as we do so, we prepare ourselves for a new year filled with even greater opportunities for growth, success, and fulfillment.