Closing Out 2025: A Moment to Reflect, Celebrate, and Set Your Sights on 2026

12.15.25 09:22 AM - By Liz Braun

As part of my annual year-end tradition, I recently took time to reflect, savor the wins, and learn from the challenges of this past year. I’m sharing a bit of that reflection here not just to look back, but to invite you to pause and reflect on your own year as well.

Building Tech To Thrive, while juggling some unexpected major family circumstances, stretched me in ways I didn’t anticipate. Some days felt full of momentum and wins. Others were messy, uncertain, or painfully difficult. But regardless of how big the challenge or how small the progress, I was committed to moving Tech To Thrive forward, each and every day, at least one small step at a time.

There were many moments I wished I could give the business more time or move faster than I was able to, but this year taught me the importance of honoring shifting priorities, trusting the pace, and recognizing that progress does not lose its value simply because it is slower than planned.

With each step, even the imperfect and smallest ones, I saw growth in ways I couldn’t have predicted at the start of the year.

Maybe you’ve felt something similar too. As we know, life rarely moves in a straight line, or at the pace we want. Yet somehow, we keep moving forward, learning as we go. For me, the key was trusting the process, the pace, and myself, and knowing that even on the hardest days, I was still moving forward.

Before we rush into the new year with fresh goals and big intentions, whether you’re navigating a career transition or other changes in your life, I invite you to pause with me for a moment. Not to judge or critique, but simply to notice. Notice that you’ve lived another entire year. That deserves a breath, a look back, and a celebration.

Let’s start with the wins and progress you made

If your mind jumped straight to what didn’t happen or didn’t go according to plan, you’re not alone. And if it did, that’s worth noticing too. Either way, take a moment to gently reflect on your wins, your quiet progress, and the moments that helped shape who you are today.

Did you try something new, even if it felt uncomfortable?
Did you handle a tough situation with more grace or confidence than you expected?
Did you grow in an area that once felt intimidating?
Did you take even one small step toward something that truly matters to you?

Recognize and savor those wins that come to mind.

One of my wins was leaning more fully into building Tech To Thrive by creating the services, systems, and messaging, and finding the courage to share it publicly, even when it felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t always easy, but it was meaningful and deeply satisfying progress.

Now, let’s look at the challenges

As you reflect back, what challenges did you face this year, and what did they teach you?

Though it’s not always obvious in the moment, challenges are rarely detours. More often, they are our greatest opportunities for growth.

Take a moment and ask yourself:

What experiences stretched me?
What did I learn about my strengths?
Where do I want to offer myself more compassion?
What did this year reveal about what I want, or no longer want?

For me, many challenges showed up as moments I wasn’t sure I was ready for but couldn't ignore. In those moments, I often had to pause, take a deep breath and remind myself to trust the process and trust in myself. Each challenge I faced and moved through quietly built my confidence, even when it didn’t feel that way at the time.

Have you had similar experiences? Whatever challenges you encountered, take a moment to acknowledge and honor the ways they served as catalysts for your growth as you moved through them.

Looking ahead to 2026 with intention

Having paused to look back, let's now gently turn toward the road ahead.

This is where the shift happens. Not through grand resolutions, but through small, intentional choices.

Consider these prompts:

How do I want to feel next year?
What is one habit or practice that I can develop that would support that feeling?
What is a goal I want to nurture, even if slowly?
What habits, beliefs, or practices am I ready to release because they no longer serve the version of me I want to become?

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a direction that feels meaningful to you.

A new rhythm for growth in 2026

As I look ahead, I’m excited to share that I’ll be moving into a more regular blogging cadence. I’ve been thinking about the conversations that would feel most supportive in this season of rapid change, especially as AI becomes a bigger part of our personal and professional lives.

So, to kick off the new year, I’ll be sharing a simple three-part series focused on helping you feel grounded, confident, and more clear as technology continues to evolve. No jargon. No overwhelm. Just practical insight and thoughtful guidance.

But that’s for the new year.

For now, let’s stay right here in this moment of reflection.

Take a breath. And honor that, with all the challenges of 2025, you made it through.

You grew. You learned. You adapted.

You showed resilience, even on the days it didn’t feel like it.

As I reflect on my own year, the progress, the learning curves, and the quiet moments of clarity, I feel deeply grateful. Grateful for the people in my life, for everyone who has supported Tech To Thrive, and for being connected with you on your journey.

Thank you for being part of this community.

I’m cheering for you, and I look forward to what 2026 brings.

Here’s to reflection, renewal, and the possibilities ahead.

Happy New Year 🌱

If you’re reflecting on what you want to change, grow, or focus on in 2026, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

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