Forget resolutions: A guide to celebrating your 2025 wins.

I spend a disproportionate amount of time thinking about the future because I love creating, in any and all forms. I’m always looking toward tomorrow–how am I paying my bills? How am I growing and developing as an artist? What are the relationships and communities that make me feel like home?

But in the midst, I’ve really failed to acknowledge the monumental moments that get me from milestone to milestone. And as a 30-something traveling the country with no children of my own and a distanced relationship with my family, there aren't many mirrors around me that can help me remember. One of my greatest accomplishments this year – writing and developing my third solo magic show, which continues to tour in 2026 – has been seen by hundreds of strangers but just one of my friends (hi Heather)! And the nature of performing magic means that even those who see the show can never know how much time I spent building it, as a magician never reveals their secrets.

I’m also quite proud of the progress I’ve made on my documentary of the magician Ellen E. Armstrong. Her story is largely unknown despite how meticulously she documented her life. Despite the distance between her life and my own, the more I learn about her has made me realize that my own story is my responsibility to archive, lest it be forgotten.

So last week, I decided to use the end of the year as a dedicated time for reflection, not resolutions. It works well for my schedule; I’m currently off until January 8th, committed only to writing this newsletter and completing my book proposal that’s woefully, embarrassingly overdue. It feels more fitting than writing resolutions, which have always felt like more shit on my to-do list than anything else.

Resolutions are also tied to capitalism, which is why it’s a more popularized practice. Often, they encourage us to buy: to get that gym membership, to buy a new suite of skincare products, to invest in a new journal that will keep us organized. Reflecting on our wins doesn’t have to cost a thing (although I do offer some ways to bring it to life that may cost money), and they can remind us of money well spent, encouraging us to make more healthful decisions in the future.

But if resolutions resonate for you, this practice is a great way to get there. Remembering helps reinforce the positive behaviors and practices that help us accomplish. This reflection may make you realize more things you’d like to add to your resolution list. And most importantly, this list of wins might remind you what you’re truly capable of.

So let’s celebrate ourselves, in all our faults and flaws. Here are some prompts and activities that can bring this to life. Consider doing this with your kids, your loved ones, or your friends–or make this a nourishing and meaningful moment for self-reflection.

Prompts

• What are you most proud of achieving this year? Why?

• What did you accomplish that you haven’t really acknowledged?

• What behaviors, practices, or decisions did you invest in that you’d like to repeat in the new year?

• What was the hardest thing you overcame this year?

• Who did you spend your most fond memories with?

• What did you learn about yourself that surprised you?

• What are you doing now that you couldn't do a year ago?

• What did you let go of that no longer served you?

• What did you advocate for—either for yourself or others?

• What problem did you solve or make progress on that once felt impossible?

Caveats

• If you’re looking to decenter the way money affects your life, minimize (or ignore) financial accomplishments.

• For a well-rounded list, consider including at least one wing from each of these categories: friendships, community, career, physical and mental health, intellectual growth, finances, and whimsy.

• Prioritize things that you consider a win internally, not just the things you’ve been celebrated for by other people.

• You’re also welcome to make a Hall of Rejects list, where you write out what you’re not proud of!

Do it Simple

Put 2 minutes on a timer and write as much as you can think of as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about editing or clarifying. Then, read, reflect and revisit to whatever extent you choose.

Make it a Moment

After you’ve made a list, here are some ways you can bring it to life:

• Make a video of you reading your list out loud and save it for when you need a boost of self-confidence.

• Find one photo that represents each of your brag lists and make a digital or physical scrapbook of the year. 

• Use magazine clippings or images from the web to make a reverse vision board of sorts. 

• Make a playlist of songs that reflect your accomplishments of 2025.

• Use whatever artistic practices you have to honor your brag list: write a song or a fictional short story, make an abstract painting, draw illustrations for each moment, etc!

• Consider ceremoniously burning your list on New Year’s Eve, allowing that energy to transform and carry you into 2026.

Let me know what you think of this idea!

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