As we approach the end of 2025, I am taking some time to reflect on the year, both personally and professionally. This gives me a moment to pause, celebrate, acknowledge and catch my breath before the year draws to a close. In this blog I will share my own key themes and learnings, I invite you to do the same. By doing this we can harvest our insights and lessons learned to take into 2026, often it is all too easy for life to rush past and we move onto the next thing.
Loss
I start with a trickier theme and that is one of letting go. I am noticing that life has bought me many moments of “lasts” this year, where I have closed the door on an experience for the last time. This has included my son going to university, which brought with it tremendous pride but also a change at home, with him physically not being here in the house full time. I also noticed that our family holiday with my parents to Cornwall changed, my parents are getting older and my dad was no longer able to walk on the beach with us as we have done for so many years.
I was talking with a good friend who reminded me that our “lasts” aren’t always known to us, we don’t always realise they are the last time until they have passed. My learning is that when I am more present and aware of those key moments, I can enjoy and treasure them in a way that is memorable. I also notice that I have adapted to my son going to university, I am both proud and at times sad he is not with us as much. This sense of experiencing the full breadth of emotions, from happiness to sadness has also been a learning this year, in that it is okay to let the emotions be there and sit with them rather than pushing them away. I am becoming more curious about my emotions and the way I handle things, getting to know myself better is enabling me to then find my way through the loss.
What emotions do you experience? What are you letting go of?
Hybrid working
I notice this year I have settled into a way of hybrid working that suits me. I value being physically around others and yet I also value my own home office where there is space and silence. This has given me greater productivity, as well as increased capacity to better look after myself, for example taking a longer lunch break and getting out in the fresh air. My learning is that when I trust myself rather than feeling like I have to work in the way others think I should, it all works out much better. I have also learnt that having a co-working space to get out to is vital for my own sense of wellbeing.
What does an ideal way of working look like for you?
Connection
I am a people person, I value being with others, hearing from others and being connected. I am drawn to those people who are interested, who listen, who make me smile, who find the fun and humour. Yet in those dark moments there are the ones who check in, who invite me to things, who simply care and value me for who I am. At work I really value learning from other leaders, coaches, colleagues and bosses who role model empathy, leadership, challenge, support and positive regard for those around them. My learning this year is that by being ourselves we attract those who are connected with us at a deeper level.
What do you value in others? How do you connect best?
Time
This continues to be work in progress. Whilst I recognise that where we place our energy is what grows in our lives, I continue to be somewhat confused as to where my time disappears to! I have created more boundaries around time, placing the most important things into the diary from a work, personal and physical perspective. In 2026 I would like to continue to learn how to be more efficient with my time. I still think there is work to explore around balancing it all and yet my learning is when I place the important things in the diary then everything fits around it. My other insight is, that I want to make the quality time to doing more of the things that bring me joy and energy in all aspects of my life.
What could you do to manage your time more effectively? What brings you energy?
Health and exercise
I made a promise to myself at the beginning of the year to tackle health niggles proactively. This has certainly helped me ensure regular appointments such as eye and dental checks have happened without delay. I would like to continue this approach into 2026, I think there is more I can learn about nutrition and the foods that best work for me at my time of life. As a child I detested P.E and I would find any excuse to not attend. I am surprised now at how that has changed as exercise has become a fundamental part of my life, as well as my social circle too. I value the way it makes me feel and have found a love of a variety of exercises, from swimming, aerobics, padel and walking. My learning is not to be intimidated by the idea of trying something new, as often by doing, we grow.
What health niggles are you putting off? What exercise works best for you?
Professional variety and growth
I absolutely love learning! I become immersed in absorbing all sorts of courses, books, podcasts and webinars. This year I have really enjoyed learning about mastery in coaching, polyvagal theory which is the study of the nervous system and deepening my understanding of presence through an improv workshop.
Formal learning is only one part of the picture, for me my most valuable insights and learnings have also come from living – whether that is in my relationships at home or work, where I notice how I am showing up and how others are. In developing patience and compassion those moments in life also shape who I am becoming, professionally. As I learn more about mastery in coaching I think a lot of being masterful happens outside of the coaching room as well as in it.
What does professional growth mean to you?
In summary
As you reflect on 2025, I wonder what themes emerge for you? When we become more aware and present to the themes, these can shape our insights for the year ahead.
I’d love to hear how you get on exploring and reflecting on the year, if you would like to learn from these insights, get in touch to see how 1:1 leadership coaching sessions can support you.