By Emily Soccorsy

This time of year, I can be a curmudgeon.

The last month of the calendar year is full to the brim of sugary, caffeinated muchness, making me feel tired before I start. And there’s a lot to start and finish in a short amount of time. 

But I am also full of anticipation at this time of year, not because of presents or parties, but because the holidays provide some time off, quiet reflection time to escape the typical work grind. 

Because the end of the year means a chance to check in and then check out. 

Ever been totally thrilled to check in to a place? 

You felt that giddy boost as you saunter to the front desk, set down your bag, and happily announce your name, handing over your ID and credit card. That moment when you realize you’ve made it, you’ve arrived, at last.

Ever been on a trip and been really happy to check out? 

Maybe you’ve stayed somewhere, at a hotel or with family, that wasn’t what you had expected, or was a neutral setting for a decidedly un-neutral experience? That feeling of being at the finish line, leaving whatever happened behind, and letting yourself walk away into a more promising future?

Gathering those feelings, I invite you to check in on this trip around the sun. 

First, let’s check in. 

Who are you as you end this year? How would you describe yourself right now? What three adjectives would you pick to reflect who you are right now?

Where did you travel to (literally and figuratively) over the last 12 months? What did the peaks look like? What did the valleys look like? (Both are important!) 

What did you traverse (again, literally and figuratively)? 

What were the dry seasons? When did it rain, and what were you doing right before that happened? How did you track your experiences? 

What did you endure, and what did you celebrate along the way? 

What can you give yourself credit for getting through? What helped you do that? Were you able to pat yourself on the back?

For me, I am ending this year stronger than the last. For the last 12 months, I’ve focused on building strength. Not just skeletal muscular strength, but also the strength that comes from emotionally challenging experiences that are deeply personal and can be isolating. 

I traveled for pleasure and family occasions, but I also traveled through my business. We had some tough moments. It was difficult to start the year with challenges when I had so much hope going into things. That said, those times gave us the opportunity to get creative, to rely on one another, to be vulnerable, and to open new doors. 

We traversed this ever-changing landscape, and are preparing ourselves for more changes to come. Making constant peace with how change is altering the landscapes of work and life – and how it also reminds us how to be, and to cherish our humanity. 

We traversed ups and downs, hopes, and missed opportunities. We put new offerings and content out and were grateful for the steady opportunity to work with the most amazing leaders and teams along the way. 

Did we celebrate? In the midst of the trials of the year, I have to be honest, celebration felt challenging. This is why, as I check in on my 2024, I’ve also started a 2024 Wins board in my kitchen. 

Right away, I added the big, obvious wins to the board – a trip to my niece’s wedding, and milestone birthdays for my parents. 

But as the days passed, between washing dishes and making dinner or breakfast, my mind and my heart are adding smaller, sweeter, and less immediately remembered wins. More personal moments. Richer, relationship wins. 

My 2024 Wins board is becoming a nourishing reminder of the incredible year we’ve shared. Celebrating like this feels meaty, meaningful, and fantastic. (I recommend it!)

Before the year is over, I’m going to check out.

That means reducing tech distractions. It means standing in the sun. It means a few more hikes in the early morning. It means baking my family’s favorite cookies. 

It means pondering questions like:

• What do I want to find in this coming year?
• What is the smallest change I can make that will have the biggest impact?
• What would I like to be celebrating at the end of next year?

It means considering what is in my heart that wants attention after all my wins. It means imagining the year to come with all that is within me, wanting to manifest.

It means holding the wins close and being in the rich nourishment of gratitude for the chance to live, to create, and to share my gifts with others. 

I hope this season brings you space for reflection, a sense of peace, and the ability to wonder at the magic of the world all around us. 

May love and joy come to you!

Let’s Talk!