A Calm, Clear Start to 2026

December always carries a mix of joy, chaos, and reflection. We’re spending more, socializing more, and often feeling a swirl of money emotions, everything from excitement to guilt to a little shame. Before we rush into 2026 with fresh goals and intentions, I’d love to invite you to pause and look back.

What did your money make possible this year?

Maybe it helped you support your family, take a trip, invest in your home, or finally finish a long delayed project. Maybe it simply helped you get through a tough season with resilience.Whatever it was, take a breath and give yourself credit.

So much of financial planning begins with numbers, but real change begins with awareness, noticing what actually mattered about how you used your money this year. That awareness becomes the foundation for every smart decision that follows.

A Moment of Gratitude for What Money Made Possible in 2025

Every December I take a few minutes to reflect on the ways money supported my life beyond the numbers. Money often feels stressful, but it also plays a quiet role in stability, joy, and growth. These questions can help you notice that.

• What is something money allowed you to experience in 2025?

  Moments of rest, connection, or joy remind you that money can add meaning, not just pressure.

• What is something money helped you repair or release in 2025?

  Maybe you paid off something lingering or brought closure to a stressful chapter. That relief is emotional progress, not just financial progress.

• What is something money helped you build for your future?

  Even small steps create a sense of agency and confidence.

These reflections can shift your relationship with money more than any spreadsheet ever could, because they help you see money as a tool that supports you, not something you have to fight with.

Letting Go of Money Shame Before January

Money brings out so many emotions, and one of the biggest barriers to change is shame. Feeling behind is completely normal. We usually compare ourselves to the best version of everyone else instead of our own real progress.

Shame makes it hard to learn or try new habits because it keeps you stuck in self criticism. When you move into 2026 with more compassion for your past choices, you free up the mental space and energy you need to make meaningful changes.

A gentle reframe: you were doing the best you could with the tools and information you had at the time. Look at how far you have come compared to where you were three or five years ago, not someone else’s highlight reel.

Money is a tool that responds to clear direction, and you are far more capable of guiding it than you think.

A Simple Year End Check In

Before setting 2026 goals, take a moment to reflect with curiosity instead of criticism.

Here are three questions to guide you:

• What worked well financially this year?

• What felt hard?

• What do I want to feel more of next year?

Clarity doesn’t come from pressure, it comes from paying attention.

I've created a simple one-page worksheet with these reflection questions to help you close out 2025 with clarity and compassion. Take 10 minutes, grab a cup of coffee, and give yourself space to notice your progress.

Download the worksheet here!

Ready to start fresh in 202?

If you’ve ever said “this year will be different,” the Financial Wellness Workshop is where that shift can finally take root. It’s a 6 week group experience that blends financial planning with the psychology behind your money choices so you can build habits that actually stick.

The first session in January is completely free, and I want to personally invite you to join me for it, even if you have worked with me before or have already taken the workshop. Think of it as a reset, a moment to reconnect with your goals, and a gentle way to start the year with clarity.

You’ll leave that session with insight, grounding, and a new perspective on your money story.

Reserve your free spot: Register Here!

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season filled with laughter, rest, and moments that matter most.

Here’s to entering 2026 with calm confidence and a plan that feels like you.