As I was talking to my friend Luke White recently, we both found ourselves reflecting on the complex emotions that come with the Christmas season. For me, Christmas has always been my favorite time of year—the traditions, the hope, the joy. But, as Luke and I discussed, there’s also a certain weight to it, a bittersweet sense of regret and failure that sneaks in.
We look back and ask ourselves: What didn’t I accomplish this year? What could I have done better? Turns out, we’re not alone in this. As leaders, as people, these feelings are more common than we realize.
Common Negative Feelings at Year-End (And What to Do About Them in 2025)
Here are four of the most common negative feelings people experience as the year winds down—and some thoughts on how to reframe them for a better 2025:
- Regret Over Unfinished Goals
Research shows that about 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. That sense of falling short lingers, and we start the next year with a mental weight.
What to do differently: Focus on fewer, more meaningful goals. Create milestones throughout the year and celebrate progress, not perfection. - Burnout and Exhaustion
A recent Gallup study found that 44% of workers report feeling burned out at work, and leaders are often no exception. The holidays, meant to be restorative, often exacerbate this feeling as we pile on responsibilities.
What to do differently: Schedule intentional rest. Build rhythms of work and restoration into your calendar, not just in December, but throughout the year. - Comparison and “Not Enoughness”
Social media and end-of-year highlights can trigger comparison. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough or not where you should be.
What to do differently: Practice gratitude daily. Write down three things you’re thankful for, even when life feels hard. Gratitude rewires the brain to focus on abundance, not scarcity. - Fear of Change or Uncertainty
Many people struggle with anxiety about what the next year will hold, especially after a difficult year.
What to do differently: Embrace adaptability. Set intentions rather than rigid goals. Be open to the opportunities and growth that unexpected challenges can bring.
What I Want to Do Differently in 2025
As I reflect on these common struggles, I see pieces of myself in all of them. Regret, burnout, comparison, and fear have all crept into my life in 2024. But instead of letting them define the next year, I want to turn those reflections into meaningful change. Here’s how I plan to approach 2025:
- Grow Boken 10x
This goal isn’t driven by ego or financial ambition—at least, I hope it’s not. I want to grow Boken because I believe in the people who have built it with me. The culture we’ve created is worth sharing, and I hope it becomes a place that houses many staff and their dreams. I want to celebrate that growth not just in 2025, but over the next several years. - Date My Wife
Too often, I fall into the trap of thinking marriage will take care of itself. It doesn’t. She deserves more, and so do I. Boken means “adventure,” and that should be true in my marriage as well. In 2025, I want to be more intentional about planning dates and reigniting that spark. - Be Open to Being Shaped
Growth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s necessary. I’m too young to think I’ve arrived and too old to pretend I don’t have more to learn. I want to allow myself to be shaped—by mentors, by challenges, by faith. - Let Go
Whether it’s material possessions, control, or the need to be right, I want to let go of the things that don’t serve me or others. I want to collaborate more, listen better, and lift up those around me. - Live Intentionally in My Community
It’s time to give back. Whether that looks like serving my local community, coaching again, or mentoring younger leaders, I want to invest in helping others reach their potential.
A Hope for 2025
2024 was tough. For me, for many. But I hope and pray that 2025 is a year filled with love, growth, and the presence of the Spirit—for me, for you, for all of us.
As you reflect on your own year, what’s stirring in your heart? What do you want to do differently in 2025? Let’s make it a year of intentional living and meaningful growth, together.
