10 Things to Do Before the End of the Year

What’s the big deal about a new year anyway? Isn’t each day the same? What makes a new year special?

I’m not one to add special significance to any day or year but truth be told, life is measured by time and seasons.

So, if you take time and seasons seriously, you’re taking your life seriously.

Wow.

It’s been a journey, and I must congratulate you for making it so far despite how the year has been.

Now that we are wrapping up the year, it makes sense to ensure that we end the year well, so we can have a beautiful start in the new year.

I’ve made a list of 10 things you can do before the end of the year (to end it well).

Read below:

10 Things to Do Before the End of the Year

1. Count your blessings

It’s been quite a journey. Not everyone who starts the year makes it to the end. But you’re here. Still breathing. Despite what we’ve been through this year.

Perhaps this doesn’t make you feel better because things haven’t been going the way you expect or you’re yet to achieve your deepest heart desires, so you don’t see the need to be grateful.

Remember when there’s life, there’s hope. Hope helps us to cope with life.

“There’s hope for a living dog than a dead lion.” Ecclesiastes 9:4

The fact that you have breath is enough proof that there’s hope for you (if you don’t give up).

This breath you take for granted is what some people are fighting for.

If you count your blessings, you’ll surely have a lot to be grateful for.

2. Do a year audit/review the year

Consider how the year has been.

Did you achieve your set goals? If not, what were the obstacles to achieving your goals?

Laziness, procrastination, inadequate finance, indiscipline, bad company etc

Take note of them and work on them so they don’t reoccur in the new year.

3. Pamper yourself

If you think you’ve done well this year, you deserve a pat on the back.

Pamper yourself. Give yourself a treat. Invest in self-care.

You work hard. You’ve survived the year. Be kind to yourself.

If you need ideas on how to pamper yourself, here are some to try:

Buy something you’ve always wanted
Visit the spa
Have a weekend getaway (alone, with friends or your spouse)
Visit your favourite restaurant
Go on a cruise
Go shopping
Go on a picnic
Have a pyjama day etc.

4. Settle disputes

Is there anyone you have issues with? A friend, neighbour, coworker, or family member.

Maybe it’s a good idea to thrash things out with them before you enter the new year.

Don’t wait for them to make things right. You can extend an olive branch and make a call for peace.

However, if you think this will cause more misunderstandings, you can let sleeping dogs lie.

For instance, I’ve been hurt by some friends who reached out to me to apologize.

Truth is, their apology actually hurt me more because their choice of words was prideful and judgmental.

I’d have preferred if they didn’t reach out at all than to use words that painted me as a bad person if I didn’t forgive them.

In this case, I don’t have anything against them. I’m not mad at them. But we can’t continue to be friends. It doesn’t mean I’ve not forgiven them. It’s just that I don’t trust them enough to mingle with them.

More so, I feel our friendship will be toxic, and I don’t want any negativity in my life.

You can clear whatever misunderstandings you have with someone but you don’t necessarily have to continue with the relationship if it’ll do more harm than good.

5. Reach out to someone you should

Who is that person you need to talk to before the year ends (for whatever reason)?

Don’t carry it over into the new year. Stop procrastinating and reach out to the person before the year ends.

6. Do something nice for someone

Helping others is one of the ways we experience joy and fulfilment as humans.

Do you think you’ve shown love enough to others this year? Or is there anyone you think could benefit from your good deeds? A friend, neighbour, coworker, a relative or an employee.

Reach out to them and make a difference in their lives in your own little way.

7. Get rid of toxic situations/relationships

We are social animals, it’s natural for us to long for connection.

However, if a relationship is making you lose your peace and sanity, you should love yourself enough to quit!

No relationship should be more important than your peace of mind.

Before this year ends, get rid of unprofitable and toxic relationships. Don’t take them with you into the new year.

I value friendship and relationship but not at the expense of my well-being.

So, I don’t hesitate to kiss any toxic person in my life goodbye.

8. Get rid of unproductive habits

Your habits determine the outcome of your life.

Just as good habits have the capacity to improve your life, bad habits can lead your life where you do not want.

You know yourself. What are the bad habits limiting your productivity?

If possible, make a list of these habits and start making efforts to squash them.

Seek help (professional) if need be.

Break those habits before they break you.

Don’t go into the new year with unproductive habits. You still have enough time to make a change.

9. Make plans for the holiday

The holiday season is almost upon us. To get the best out of the holiday, start making plans now.

Have a picture of the kind of holiday you want and start planning towards it.

Make a budget and stick to it.

This will save you from unnecessary spending and exhaustion.

10. Set goals for the new year

It’s not too early to start setting goals for the new year.

You can add the goals you were unable to achieve this year to next year’s goals.

If you don’t have set goals, you’re likely to live anyhow and not accomplish anything.

Setting goals will guide your activities and decisions, and this can improve your life in ways unimaginable.
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In summary, to end this year well, do these ten things:
1. Be grateful
2. Review the year
3. Pamper yourself
4. Settle disputes
5. Reach out to someone
6. Help someone
7. Quit toxic situations/relationships
8. Get rid of bad habits
9. Make plans for the holiday
10. Set new year’s goals.

Have a fruitful year!