The year 2025 has been full of changes “big and small” for many of us. Some of us landed new jobs, discovered new passion, found love, or achieved personal milestones. Some faced heartbreak, insecurity, fear, loss and the rising tensions around us. Many of us have felt the weight of rising pressures in the world, wondering about stability, craving love, connection, and the beauty of life.
In the midst of these ups and downs, it’s easy to forget to show kindness to ourselves. We set plans and goals and life mostly does not swing the way we plan around, so remind yourself it is ok to not have everything in place like you thought it would be, it is ok to move forward with the baggage or unfinished business of year 2025. You still have 2026 and coming years to finish what you started and walk the path of your choice. The end of the year is the perfect time to practice self-compassion to acknowledge your struggles and joys alike and prepare for the new year with calm and resilience.
5 Self-Compassion Practices to End the Year
Here are five uncommon but actionable practices to help you practice self-compassion:
1) Marie Kondo your digital space
A big fan a very famous Japanese technique KONMARI, founded by Marie Kondo, who is the author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying”. Ever since I read that book, I often reflect and ask myself does it spark joy in my life, will it matter in 6 months time and it helps me declutter and organise my thoughts alongside my home 🙂 Delete that app you have not used on your phone, delete unnecessary account and protect your information and privacy. Delete that contact and delete that chat you keep going back, delete that number. Unsubscribe and unfollow content overload in the form of social media accounts, blogs, podcasts etc even mine if it is too much, I don’t mind.
2.) Gratitude snapshot
Choose one yes only one photo of your best moment of 2025, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with so many constant choices but it is apparently important to remember what truly matters. Take print of that photo and put it on your desk, mirror or any place you can see it often. A memory you are truly grateful for, right in front of your eyes.
3.) Compliment yourself out loud
There is no shame in patting your back or giving yourself credit for things you do and mountains you move without anyone noticing it. We often indulge in negative self-talk and analyse our lives with all possible horrible ifs and buts, when it comes to things we managed to accomplish we are too humble to even acknowledge that yes it was difficult but I did it and I am proud of myself. Go say it!
4.) Boundary check
Boundaries allow you to protect yourself from the whirlwind of life, rather than leaving you with the feelings of exhaustion or resentment. It helps you prioritise between what serves and doesn’t serves purpose, what could work or do not work without you. The end of the year often brings social pressures, family obligations, or work demands. Practice saying no when needed: Prioritising your own mental and emotional well-being could mean declining events or tasks that drain you and that is ok.
5.) Sensory grounding jar
Buy a cute jar, fill that jar with objects that soothe your senses like a soft fabric, scented beads, a smooth stone, small photos, dried flowers, tiny trinkets or anything you associate with. These sensory objects provides a tactile anchor to calm your nervous system, giving a physical connection to peace. When you feel anxious or overwhelmed, hold or touch an object and focus on its texture, weight, or scent, it will help you feel grounded.
In the end, I would say that ending the year with self-compassion is about acknowledging the challenges and life choices we have come across this year and opening up to self care. Try incorporating these five practices in the coming days and notice the shift: from stress to presence, from fear to grounded calm, from self-criticism to kindness.
No matter what this year held, you are worthy of peace, care, and the quiet joy of simply being. Pick one or more of these practices this week and notice how they shift your energy, mood, and presence.
