An End-of-Year Reset: Reflections, Lessons, and Intentions

Mar 16

Before the pressure of New Year’s goals and resolutions kicks in, I wanted to take a different approach.

Not a big reinvention.
Not a dramatic reset.
Just a pause.

This year held a lot for me: growth, travel, exhaustion, hard decisions, creative risks, and lessons I’m still learning in real time. And instead of rushing into what’s next, I wanted to reflect honestly on what this season taught me.

If you’re craving a gentler way to reset, this is for you.

Reflecting on the Year

One of the biggest things I did this year was start my podcast, Tides of Change.

Even though I’d podcasted before, this felt like a much bigger leap because this time I was doing it alone. No co-host, no sharing the load, just me telling my stories and figuring out every part of the process as I went. It’s vulnerable work, but it’s also been deeply therapeutic. I’ve realized that speaking feels more natural to me than writing, and this format fits me in a way blogging never quite did.

This year also included some incredible travel. I visited Costa Rica, Florida, Montreal, and Mexico, and each trip brought something different: adventure, family time, music, rest, and a chance to step outside my normal routine.

Another big change was living in Rustico from April to September. Being so much closer to the wharf and the tourism business made day-to-day life much easier during the busy season. It gave me more breathing room and made those early mornings more manageable.

And still, the season took a lot out of me.

That was one of the biggest realities of the year: even when something is working better logistically, it can still be deeply demanding physically and mentally.

The Harder Parts Behind the Scenes

One thing that surprised me was how long it took to recover after the tourism season ended.

I expected to slow down in September and feel ready to jump into something new by October. Instead, it wasn’t until early November that I started feeling like myself again. My energy and creativity came back much more slowly than I expected.

That reminded me that burnout runs deeper than we often realize.

There were also challenges on the lobster boat this year. We went through staff turnover, which is especially hard in that kind of environment where the work is physical, fast-paced, and demanding. We eventually found someone who felt like a great fit, but he later moved on, so now we’re back to searching again for next season.

I also spent time working on a potential cruise ship partnership for Joey’s Fishing. At first, it looked like a great opportunity. But once I looked more closely, it became clear that it would require us to lower our pricing, add logistical complexity, and stretch beyond what actually felt aligned for our business. So I made the decision to walk away.

That was a good reminder that not every opportunity is worth saying yes to.

And then there was the renovation of the house in Rustico, which was exciting, exhausting, and emotionally full all at once.

If I had to sum up the year in one sentence, it might be this:

Two things can be true at once.
I can be grateful and exhausted.
Proud and overwhelmed.
Excited and completely spent.

What This Year Taught Me

1. Health is ongoing

I’m starting to accept that my health is not something I’ll ever fully “figure out” and be done with. It’s an ongoing practice, and honestly, that can feel frustrating. Right now I’m waiting on bloodwork and hoping for more clarity, but I’m also learning that acceptance doesn’t mean giving up. It means adapting.

2. I need structure, even when I’m resting

Too much free time is actually hard for me. I get restless, overwhelmed, and can easily spiral when there’s too much blank space in my day. I’m learning that structure doesn’t have to mean productivity. Sometimes it just means care.

3. My habits need to evolve

I’m very good at building habits when I’m excited about them. But when they get boring, I tend to drop them quickly. This year reminded me that discipline isn’t my issue. My habits just need to evolve with the season I’m in.

4. My relationship with myself matters most

I’ve become more aware of how I speak to myself, especially around my body and health. Some of that self-talk is harsher than I want it to be. I’m learning to choose kindness over criticism and to give myself credit for the effort I’m making, even when results aren’t showing up the way I want.

5. Everyone is carrying something

This year reminded me that everyone is navigating something unseen. Life moves quickly, and while I need rest and solitude, I also want to remember to reach out, check in, and stay connected to the people I love.

My Intentions Moving Forward

Instead of focusing on what I want to achieve, I’m trying to ask a better question:

How do I want to feel?

The biggest answer that comes up is this:

I want to feel more energetic. More alive.

I’m ready to leave behind the fog I’ve been feeling and focus on what actually supports my health, not what I think I’m supposed to want.

I want to protect my health at all costs. I want to let go of the pressure for my body to “bounce back” and focus more on how I want to feel living in it.

I want to keep growing Joey’s Fishing in ways that work for us. I want to stay open to meaningful work, including the possibility of offering coaching again.

And I want more joy in my days. Less mindless scrolling. More dance. More movement. More things that make me feel like myself.

A Gentler Reset

If you’re in a season of reflection right now, this is your reminder that you do not need to reinvent yourself overnight.

You’re allowed to move forward gently.

You’re allowed to choose one intention instead of ten goals.

You’re allowed to reset without pressure.

Listen to the Episode

In this episode of Tides of Change, I’m sharing an honest end-of-year reflection on what this season looked like, what it taught me, and how I want to move forward.

We talk about:

Starting a podcast and sharing more vulnerably
Travel, burnout, recovery, and hard business decisions
Lessons about health, habits, rest, and self-talk
Choosing intentions over pressure

🎧 Listen to the episode here on Spotify or Apple.

A Question for You

Instead of asking yourself, what do I want to achieve?

Try asking: