10 year end reflection questions to say out loud

Look back on your year by saying it, not writing it

A year is hard to hold in your head all at once. Asked one question at a time, out loud, it comes back in pieces: a good day, a worry that turned out fine, someone who made it easier.

These ten look back. If you’d rather decide what to carry into next year, the what to keep, what to leave behind questions look forward.

Take these ten over a few evenings, about a minute each. Keep your answers, and in January you can listen to who you were in December. If you use a voice journal like Dearly, it writes the page for you while you talk.

What questions help you look back on the year?

Start with the good parts, then what was hard, then the people. Answer one at a time, out loud, for about a minute each.

1. What was the best day of this year, and what made it good?
2. What am I glad is behind me?
3. What surprised me this year?
4. Who made my year better?
5. What did I learn the hard way?
6. What did I start this year that I’m glad I did?
7. What was I worried about in January that turned out fine?
8. Which small moment from this year do I not want to lose?
9. What did I do this year that I didn’t think I could?
10. How would I describe this year to a friend in one minute?

How to use these

• Spread them out. Two or three a night over a few evenings is easier than all ten in one sitting.
• Use your phone’s calendar if it helps. Scrolling back through the months can jog a memory before you answer.
• Small moments count. The answer to “which moment don’t I want to lose” is often an ordinary one.
• Keep the recordings. Next December, listen to this one before you answer the same questions again.

Related: more journaling prompts to say out loud · the complete voice journaling guide · Dearly, the voice journal.