If you’re anything like me, your daily practice of checking in with yourself and setting mindful intentions may have slipped amid the joy and chaos of the holidays. I know mine did. Each year, I’m reminded how easily the season carries us along—and how quickly time passes when we move from one celebration to the next.

Am I beating myself up about it? Of course not…well, maybe just a little. But then I pause to thank my inner critic for her efforts to keep me on track and gently reorient toward a more compassionate narrative. I remind myself that “good enough” is often preferable to perfection. After all, any practice that requires consistency -- whether it’s making the bed each morning or committing to an evening meditation -- invites us to begin again and again. I try to live by Albert Einstein’s reminder that we never fail unless we stop trying.

As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves in what’s known as a liminal space -- the in-between, or the threshold between what has been and what’s next. The word comes from the Latin limen, meaning threshold, and it perfectly captures this moment of transition. Standing on the edge of a new year can feel exciting, but also daunting or even anxiety-provoking.

As we occupy the threshold of 2026, many of us naturally reflect on the past 52 weeks and consider changes we’d like to make. As you look back on your own experience of 2025, I invite you to take a holistic view—one that honors growth and resilience, not just areas for improvement.

Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center, developed the well-known “Three Good Things” exercise, an evidence-based practice shown to increase optimism, resilience, and overall well-being. The practice is simple: each day, write down three good things that happened and note your role in making them occur. This brief daily reflection can help strengthen neural pathways associated with gratitude and perspective. As the saying goes, neurons that fire together wire together. When we repeatedly focus on self-criticism or pessimism, those patterns can become ingrained -- but the opposite is also true. Thanks to neuroplasticity, our brains can form new pathways at any age.

You might experiment with this practice on a broader scale by reflecting on the year as a whole. Consider writing down three good things that happened in your life in 2025 and how you contributed to each one. Allow yourself to truly savor the sense of accomplishment or meaning they bring. From that grounded place, gently ask yourself how you’d like to grow or shift in 2026. For me, the intention is simple: more lighthearted play, more unhurried time with my kids, and more experiences that cultivate joy.

If reflecting on the past year stirs something in you -- questions, hopes, or a desire for meaningful change -- you’re not alone. This season naturally invites clarity and connection, and psychotherapy can be a supportive space to explore what’s next.

If you’re curious about starting therapy this year, I’d love to hear from you. You can learn more or reach out through my website: janeballardwellness.com.