Week 37: A New Year’s Reflection
As the final hours of the year tick away, I find myself sitting here, attempting to gather my thoughts amid the background noise of holiday chaos. The kids came home early, the living room looks like a toy store exploded, and I’ve had to pause more times than I can count to mediate snack and toy disputes. This is life — beautifully imperfect, slightly chaotic, and full of moments that remind me why I started The Coping Corner in the first place.
This moment feels especially universal, as so many of us are spending the last hours of the year in different ways. Maybe you’re heading out to celebrate with friends or loved ones, savoring the joy of connection. Maybe you’re tucking your kids in early after a pre-bed New Year’s countdown (Nickelodeon New Year’s, anyone?). Perhaps you’re celebrating the 6th day of Kwanzaa with Karamu, reflecting on the value of creativity and the importance of community. Maybe you’re lighting the menorah and sharing the warmth and joy of Hanukkah, or honoring another cultural or spiritual tradition unique to this time of year.
Or maybe you’re doing something like tackling laundry, tidying the house, or cleaning the kitchen because some of us grew up believing you have to start the new year with a clean house and an empty laundry basket.
Whatever you’re doing in these final moments, know that it’s valid and meaningful, because it’s yours. This is a time of reflection, celebration, or simply catching your breath — all of which are part of the beautiful, imperfect rhythm of life.
This marks the 37th post of The Coping Corner since I began writing on November 5th, 2023. Honestly, I had hoped to write a post every single week — 52 posts for 52 weeks. But life, as it so often does, had other plans. Sitting with this realization, I’ve come to see it as a perfect reflection of one of my favorite themes: celebrating progress over perfection.
While I didn’t meet my original goal, I showed up in the ways I could. I kept going, even when the weeks were chaotic, even when the words didn’t come easily, and even when I wondered if I had anything left to say. And isn’t that what matters most? Showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. If these 37 posts have made even one person feel seen, heard, or supported, then this space has done exactly what it was meant to do.
The Arrival of a New Year
The arrival of a new year lands differently for everyone. For some, it’s a clean slate, a chance to dream big and set bold resolutions. For others, it’s a reminder of unfulfilled goals, accompanied by a quiet fear of disappointment. Many of us find ourselves somewhere in between — hopeful yet hesitant, reflecting on the past while wondering what lies ahead. Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, you are not alone.
The Power of Small Victories
If there’s one theme that has come up repeatedly in The Coping Corner this past year, it’s the importance of celebrating small victories. These moments, however small, are what keep us moving forward when life feels overwhelming.
Maybe your small victories this year were simply getting out of bed on a tough day, carving out a few moments to breathe, or being present for a loved one. Perhaps they were bigger — making that hard decision, taking a leap of faith, or navigating a challenge with grace. Big or small, these victories matter. They’re proof of your resilience and determination, even when things weren’t perfect.
As you step into the new year, I encourage you to continue honoring those small victories. Let them be your foundation. They deserve recognition — and so do you.
Rethinking Resolutions
Resolutions are a New Year’s tradition, but they’re not for everyone. For some, they’re energizing and motivating. For others, they can feel like a heavy burden, a reminder of past "failures," or a setup for disappointment. If resolutions don’t resonate with you, that’s okay. You don’t need a grand list of goals to start fresh.
Instead, try a gentler approach. Reflect on the past year and ask yourself:
What brought me joy?
What challenges did I navigate, and how did I show up for myself during those times?
What am I proud of, no matter how small it may seem?
And here’s a thought for the new year: focus less on what you want to achieve and more on how you want to feel. For me, one word stands out as I envision 2025: peace.
Peace, not in the sense of perfection or the absence of life’s inevitable chaos, but the kind that comes from within — the kind that remains steady even when the world around me feels anything but. It’s about creating moments to breathe amidst the noise, setting boundaries that honor my needs, and approaching each day with a little more grace for myself and others.
Maybe your guiding word for 2025 is something different — connection, confidence, joy, or resilience. Whatever it may be, let those feelings guide your choices, and trust that even the smallest steps can create meaningful change.
Embracing Imperfection
Here’s the truth: perfection was never the goal. Life is unpredictable and will always throw curveballs your way. The magic lies in how you choose to respond. Give yourself permission to start over as many times as you need. Every day, every hour, is a chance to begin again. Your worth isn’t tied to productivity or perfectly executed plans — it’s inherent in who you are.
Finally…
As I look back on this year’s posts, I see recurring themes — celebrating progress over perfection, trusting yourself, pausing to reflect, and embracing self-compassion. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Whether you’ve been here for all 37 posts or are just discovering The Coping Corner, I’m deeply grateful for your presence.
As we step into 2025, my hope is that this space continues to be a space where you feel seen, supported, and inspired to navigate life’s challenges with courage and kindness.
However you choose to welcome the new year — with celebration, contemplation, quiet reflection, or simply taking it one moment at a time — remember this: there will be beautiful moments ahead, but also challenges and chaos to navigate. Here’s to progress, imperfection, resilience, and finding strength and joy even in the midst of life’s messiness.
