Part 1: How Reflection Can Bring Clarity
- Jeannette Fennel
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
This past weekend, I was sipping my morning black coffee and doing something I don’t always slow down enough to do: reflecting on the year.
Specifically, our money goals.
At the start of 2025, the hubs and I set a mix of spending and savings goals. We had a few purchases we were excited about (a new camping tent, his dream car, and some road trips). We also had a savings goals tied to a larger purchase we’re wanting to make in a few years.
And honestly? For the first half of the year, we were doing really, really well.
We were intentional with our spending, staying aligned with our goals, and feeling confident about the direction we were headed. The hubs was zooming around with a smile on his face in his new-to-him car. Things felt steady. Predictable. Good.
Then July hit and life just… happened.
Our beloved 12-year-old dog passed away from cancer. A close friend had a heart attack and was unexpectedly stuck in another city three hours away. Shortly after that, the hubs’ grandfather passed away. All of it happened in one month.
There was a lot of grief. A lot of emotional weight. And, naturally, a shift in how we spent our money.
As I look back now, July became a turning point for our finances in 2025. Some goals slowed down. Some purchases changed. Some plans were put on pause.
And instead of beating myself up or feeling like we “failed,” I’m choosing to give myself grace.
Because a lot of life happened. A lot of grieving happened and money doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s deeply connected to what we’re living through.
That realization is what made me slow down and reflect. Not just on what we spent or saved, but on the full story behind our money this year and that’s exactly what we need to do before jumping into new goals.
Have you taken time to reflect on your 2025? Below are suggestions to reflect on your 2025 money goals.
How to Reflect on Your 2025 Money Goals
1. Revisit the Goals You Set Last Year
Pull up the goals you made at the beginning of 2025 or simply think back to what you hoped to work toward financially.
Ask yourself:
Which goals did I make progress on?
Which ones felt harder to maintain?
Did any goals change as life changed?
2. Name Your Wins (Big and Small)
Progress isn’t all-or-nothing.
Maybe you paid off or made a big dent with your student loans, a credit card, or other debt.
Maybe you stayed consistent for part of the year.
Maybe you followed through on a purchase without going into debt.
Maybe you became more aware of your spending habits.
All of that counts.
3. Identify the Turning Points
Notice if things shifted.
Was there a specific month or season where momentum changed?
Did stress, grief, or unexpected events affect your spending?
This isn’t failure. It’s context.
4. Capture the Lessons
Write down what this year taught you about:
Your spending habits.
Your emotional relationship with money.
What systems worked and which didn’t.
These lessons can matter more than the goal itself.
Conclusion
Reflection isn’t about perfection. It’s about understanding what this year asked of you.
Some years are about progress. Others are about getting through hard things. Both totally count.
When you look back with honesty and grace, you can move forward without guilt. You let go of what didn’t go as planned and carry only the lessons that matter.
Before setting new goals, acknowledge what 2025 really looked like for you. That clarity is what makes your 2026 goals stronger.
In the next post, we’ll use this reflection to set money goals for 2026. Look for Part 2 coming out soon!
Photo credits:
Ivan S via pexels.com - Link to photo
Tirachard Kumtanom via pexels.com - Link to photo
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