An Almost End-of-Year Reset

I used to think resets had to be dramatic.

New planners. New routines. Big declarations about who I was going to become next.

But as the years have passed โ€” and life has gotten fuller, louder, and more layered โ€” Iโ€™ve learned that the most meaningful resets are often the quiet ones.

This isnโ€™t a post about reinventing yourself before January 1st.
Itโ€™s about pausing, noticing, and gently clearing space before what comes next.

An almost end-of-year reset.


This Isnโ€™t a Glow-Up

If youโ€™re tired, you donโ€™t need a glow-up.
If youโ€™re overwhelmed, you donโ€™t need a ten-step plan.
And if this year stretched you in ways you didnโ€™t expect, you donโ€™t need to โ€œfixโ€ that.

Youโ€™re allowed to end the year as you are.

For me, manifestation has never been about forcing change. Itโ€™s been about awareness โ€” noticing patterns, energy, habits, and thoughts. Paying attention to what feels aligned and what feels heavy, and letting that awareness guide the next small step.

Thatโ€™s what this reset is about.


Clearing Space (Without Pressure)

Clearing space doesnโ€™t have to mean doing more. Often, it means doing less.

Less noise.
Less comparison.
Less carrying things that no longer fit the season youโ€™re in.

This might look like:

  • Letting go of expectations you picked up along the way
  • Unsubscribing from voices that make you feel behind
  • Allowing rest to be part of your practice

Manifestation isnโ€™t always about calling things in. Sometimes itโ€™s about making room.


Intention Over Resolution

I donโ€™t set rigid New Yearโ€™s resolutions anymore. Instead, I return to intention.

An intention is softer. It leaves room for real life โ€” for kids, work, mess, joy, exhaustion, and change.

As I look ahead, Iโ€™m asking myself:

  • How do I want to feel moving forward?
  • What kind of energy do I want to bring into my days?
  • What would it look like to trust myself a little more?

You donโ€™t need a perfect answer. You just need an honest one.


Ending the Year Where You Are

If youโ€™re closing this year feeling grateful, that matters.
If youโ€™re closing it feeling tired, that matters too.
If youโ€™re somewhere in between, that matters just as much.

This is your permission slip to end the year gently. To reflect without pressure. To reset without erasing yourself.

You donโ€™t need a whole new life.
Youโ€™re allowed to build on the one you already have.


Journal Prompts for an Almost End-of-Year Reset

You donโ€™t need to answer all of these. Sit with the ones that feel gentle, not demanding.

Looking Back (Without Judgment)

  • What moments from this year still feel warm when I think about them?
  • What did I carry this year that I no longer want to bring with me?
  • Where did I show resilience that I might be overlooking?
  • What surprised me about myself this year?

Taking Inventory

  • What consistently gave me energy?
  • What quietly drained me, even if I told myself it was โ€œfineโ€?
  • What patterns did I notice in my thoughts, habits, or reactions?
  • Where did I push when rest would have served me better?

Releasing with Care

  • What expectations am I ready to release?
  • What does letting go look like for me right now โ€” practically, not perfectly?
  • What would feel lighter if I stopped trying to control it?

Looking Ahead (Softly)

  • How do I want to feel moving forward?
  • What kind of energy do I want to bring into my days?
  • What would it look like to trust myself a little more?
  • What am I open to receiving, without forcing the how?

Closing Gently

  • What does a gentle reset look like for me?
  • What do I want to remember as this year ends?
  • What am I allowed to take slowly?

Thereโ€™s no rush. Youโ€™re allowed to meet yourself where you are โ€” and begin again from there.

Trusting the Voice Within

Yesterday shook me. Not just a little. Not in a passing, brush-it-off kind of way. In a deep, soul-level kind of way that stays with you long after the chaos settles.

It started with a birthday happy hour at a coworkerโ€™s houseโ€”a celebration for a fellow kinder teacher I care about. I wasnโ€™t really in the mood to go. The house wasnโ€™t close, I never drink and drive, and to be completely honest, the social setting already had me on edge. Iโ€™m not great in crowds unless I have a drink in hand. Thatโ€™s just the truth. But I went anyway.

Still, something felt off. My intuitionโ€”the quiet but persistent voice Iโ€™ve been trying to honor more latelyโ€”kept nudging me. You donโ€™t need to go. You donโ€™t want to go. Something doesnโ€™t feel right. I heard it. I ignored it.

And then it happened.

A three-year-old little girl slipped into the pool. Unnoticed. Her mom had just taken her floaties off for a quick snack break inside, and in a flash, the unthinkable happenedโ€”right in front of six adults. It was every parentโ€™s worst nightmare. Thankfully, she was rescued and transported to the hospital in time. Sheโ€™s going to be okay. But stillโ€ฆ the what-ifs are haunting.

As I sat with the aftermath last night, my mind drifted again to that nagging feeling I had before the party. That intuitive whisper that Iโ€™ve been hearing more and more often these daysโ€”not just about the party, but about my life. About how I treat my body. About how much wine I drink. About how I show up for my family.

I recently read something that hit me right in the heart: our intuition is our soul communicating with us. Itโ€™s not just a hunch. Itโ€™s not just a fleeting feeling. Itโ€™s guidance. Wisdom. A sacred knowing. And Iโ€™ve been getting better at hearing itโ€”but yesterday reminded me I need to get better at honoring it.

Because hereโ€™s the truth: I am a better version of myself when I donโ€™t drink.

Clearer. Calmer. More present. More joyful. More me.

That doesnโ€™t mean itโ€™s easy. Itโ€™s not. I still find myself making excuses. Pouring a glass on autopilot. Choosing temporary ease over long-term peace. But after yesterday, I canโ€™t ignore the voice anymore.

My intuition is no longer whisperingโ€”itโ€™s yelling. And this time, Iโ€™m listening.

Maybe this post is my line in the sand. Maybe itโ€™s a turning point. Maybe itโ€™s just another breadcrumb on the path. But I know this much: I want to honor the woman Iโ€™m becoming. I want to treat my body with reverence, not recklessness. I want to trust myself more. Tune in more. And numb less.

So hereโ€™s to slowing down. To paying attention. To saying no when something doesnโ€™t feel right. And to saying yes to the kind of life that aligns with peace, presence, and purpose.

Thank you, Universe, for the wake-up call. Iโ€™m awake now. Iโ€™m ready.

Day 11: Rewriting the Hard Days with Gratitude and Grace

Ugh. Iโ€™m in a mood tonight.

And letโ€™s be realโ€”thatโ€™s probably not a great sign considering this is the second time in 11 days that Iโ€™ve started a post with that exact word.

Anyway, the day started off strong. I woke up grateful, thankful, and genuinely happy. I carried those good vibes with me through the first half of the dayโ€ฆ until my darling kindergartners managed to chip away at my light like tiny, adorable jackhammers.

I love them. Truly, I do. But man, sometimes they drain me to the point of near depletion.

Midday, I tried to ground myself with some mantras Iโ€™ve been leaning into:

โœจ I am the calm in the chaos.
โœจ I lead with light.
โœจ I stay grounded, even when energy runs high.
โœจ My joy is protected.
โœจ I am a powerful creatorโ€”even here, even now.

And honestly? Iโ€™m still clinging to those words.

By the time I got home, I had eaten well all dayโ€”so proud of my healthy choices. Then, the dinner hour hit. And next thing I knew, I was scarfing down the crust of my daughterโ€™s grilled cheese and polishing off my other daughterโ€™s leftover enchilada like it wouldnโ€™t count if I ate it quickly between bites of my low-carb, peri-menopause-fighting stir-fry.

Ugh. (Again.)

Hereโ€™s the thingโ€”Iโ€™ve been petite my whole life. My body would fluctuate five pounds over a weekend and Iโ€™d bounce right back by Tuesday. But lately? Iโ€™ve gained five pounds in three weeks despite walking three miles a day and eating like someone training for a half marathon in reverse.

I feel discouraged. My clothes are tight. My belly feels unfamiliar. I donโ€™t recognize myself in the mirror some days. Is this just what happens now?

But despite the downward spiral I feel tugging at me, I made a promise to myself: 365 days of gratitude and manifestation. So tonight, Iโ€™m showing up. Even when I feel off. Especially when I feel off.


โœจ Gratitude Practice:

My family. My job. Our home. My parents. My in-laws. Our neighborhood. My dog. My childhood. Books. Laughing. Restaurants. Curbside pickup. The outdoors. My health. The health of my loved ones. The kids I teach. Electricity. Internet. Running water. Memories. A sound mind. Writing. Reading. Freedom. Mexican food. Wine. Flip-flops. Beautiful beaches. The perfect sunset. The perfect pair of jeans. Friday afternoons. Saturday mornings. Movies. Cozy blankets. Fireplaces. Swimming pools. My college education.


๐ŸŒŸ Manifestation Practice:

I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream lakefront homeโ€”expansive, beautifully designed, and filled with love and laughter. Thereโ€™s space for everything and everyone: a game room, pool, movie room, bar, and a serene outdoor living area that feels like a retreat.

Each of our five children has their own room and private bath, and we have gorgeous guest suites and dual home offices. Our dream cars sit in the garage. We have the support of a maid, chef, personal trainer, assistantโ€”you name itโ€”and it allows us to enjoy every moment.

Iโ€™m a best-selling author, writing full time and making an incredible living doing what I love. My husband is thriving in his dream career. Our children are kind, grounded, joyful, and thriving.

We travel the worldโ€”this year alone weโ€™ve explored St. John, the BVI, Costa Rica, Italy, Canada, and South America. We fly first class or private and stay in the most luxurious accommodationsโ€”but remain grateful, generous, and centered.

I am so happy and grateful now that we have millions in the bank. We can do, be, have, and give anything we want. We live in joy. We create joyfully. We are living our dream life now.


You know what? Just writing this out lifted my vibe.

Iโ€™ve read before that one of the most powerful things you can do is mentally replay your day each nightโ€”and reimagine any tough moments through a more positive lens. Iโ€™m going to try that tonight. Nothing catastrophic happened today, but I am disappointed in the way I let small frustrations unravel me.

Tomorrow is a new day. A fresh opportunity to show up as a slightly better version of myself.

And thatโ€™s the journey. One tiny step forward, every single day.

๐Ÿ’ซ Want more daily gratitude, manifestation inspiration, and real-life reflections?
Come hang out with me on Facebook! Iโ€™d love to connect, share, and grow with you.
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Day 4: Showing Up, Even When Itโ€™s Hard

Today wasโ€ฆ okay. It was my first official day back at school with students after spring break, and while I tried to stay positive, the energy wasnโ€™t quite as high as it had been over the break. Still, I think I did a pretty good job of holding it together. The day was actually pretty smoothโ€”it just felt like a big shift from the freedom of a week without alarms and to-do lists.

Teaching kindergarten is such a unique calling. Itโ€™s incredibly rewardingโ€”but itโ€™s also deeply exhausting. Yes, Iโ€™m teaching five- and six-year-olds how to read, write, and understand math. But more importantly, Iโ€™m teaching them how to be kind, empathetic humans. That kind of work is emotional and endlessโ€”and it absolutely takes a toll.

After work, I went on a walk and listened to my favorite podcast again. For whatever reason, I was dragging today. I could feel it in my body, and I think my level of consciousness reflected it, too.

But hereโ€™s the thing: Even on a mid-vibe day, Iโ€™m still showing up. Iโ€™m still writing. Still dreaming. Still plugging into this vision I believe in so fully. Thatโ€™s the work. Not just when itโ€™s easyโ€”but when itโ€™s hard.

Today I am grateful for:

  • Really good ranch dressing
  • Walks with my husband
  • Good music
  • Students who tell me they love me
  • Supportive student parents
  • Reading to my son before bed
  • My personal childrenโ€™s teachers
  • Great neighbors
  • My college education
  • My parents

Manifestation Practice:

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that I write full time from home. Iโ€™ve published multiple books and built a career that is both wildly successful and deeply fulfilling.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream home. Itโ€™s exactly as we envisionedโ€”expansive, immaculate, warm, and welcoming. Itโ€™s our favorite place on earth.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that money flows freely to us. We can do what we want, go where we want, give generously, and live joyfully. Our lives are abundant beyond measure.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that we travel the world together. We’ve explored countless countries as a family, always in comfort and luxury. Whether it’s first class or private, five-star resorts or charming villas, travel is our favorite shared adventureโ€”and we do it often.

Last night, as I tried to fall asleep, I felt a wave of anxiety creep in. But then I remembered something from the podcast: Anxiety is simply uncertainty about the future. The more certain I am that everything is unfolding as it should, the faster it will arrive.

So I chose to let go. I reminded myself: All is well. All will be well. What Iโ€™ve asked for is on its wayโ€”in perfect timing.

And thatโ€™s what Iโ€™m learningโ€”manifestation isnโ€™t about perfection. Itโ€™s about persistence. Itโ€™s about holding the vision, even on the messy, tired, not-so-magical days. Itโ€™s about believing in the beauty of whatโ€™s coming, while showing up for what is.

Each time I write these words, Iโ€™m reminding myself: I am co-creating something beautiful. One aligned step at a time. โœจ

๐Ÿ’ซ Letโ€™s Stay Connected!
If youโ€™re enjoying these posts and want more daily inspiration, manifesting tips, and behind-the-scenes moments, come follow along on Facebook! Iโ€™d love to have you join the journey. ๐Ÿ’•

#Gratitude #Manifestation #DreamLifeInProgress

Day 3: Living the Vision Before It Arrives

I’d love to write first thing in the morning, but Iโ€™m already up by 5:30 (5:40 at the absolute latest!!!) to get myself and my five kids ready for school. This yearโ€”for the first timeโ€”we all go to the same school, which is SO freaking awesome. But… we also have to be there by 7:00 AM. ๐Ÿ˜ณ

Honestly, Iโ€™m impressed we make it most days. Huge shoutout to my husbandโ€”he handles the early wake-ups, breakfast chaos, hair crises, and kid-wrangling like a champ. I couldn’t do it without him!

Tonightโ€™s reflection comes as I wind down for bed. Morning writing would be ideal, but thereโ€™s something peaceful about nighttime journalingโ€”itโ€™s quiet, reflective, and the perfect way to release the day and reset for tomorrow.

Spring break is officially over, but today was surprisingly wonderful. Teachers had PD while the kids had an extra day off, which probably helped. And I got the rare gift of a two-hour lunch (!), which I spent walking outside and listening to a podcast about Kabbalah. โœจ

A few powerful takeaways I scribbled down:

  • Anything is possibleโ€”and the Creator wants to give it all to me.
  • My desire + my certainty = miracles.
  • Iโ€™ll receive what I want when I no longer need it to be happy.
  • Anxiety means I donโ€™t trust the future.
  • Pause. What a pleasure. Thank you.

(That last one would’ve come in handy when my 3-year-old went full wild banshee mode at the grocery store. Thankfully, my older kids helped detain her until I caught up. ๐Ÿ˜…)

During my walk, FIVE white Escalades passed me. Coincidence? I donโ€™t think so. Thatโ€™s the exact car Iโ€™m manifesting. Each one gave me a spark of excitementโ€”I imagined it was mine and felt what it would be like to drive it. Later, I passed a gorgeous ski boat and did the same. The universe is definitely nudging me: โ€œItโ€™s on the way.โ€

๐ŸŒฟ Gratitude List Today:

  • A later start to my workday
  • A two-hour lunch
  • A healthy, home-cooked dinner
  • Self-discipline
  • Health
  • Creativity
  • My husbandโ€™s helpful nature
  • Organic wine ๐Ÿ˜‰
  • My job
  • Wearing comfy clothes for PD day!

๐Ÿ“ Manifestation Practice:

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that next year is my final year of teachingโ€”and Iโ€™ll be able to write full time from home. My career is thriving, and I support my family doing what I love.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream homeโ€”spacious, warm, and full of joy.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that we travel the world often, making unforgettable memories.

โœจ I am so happy and grateful now that money flows to us easily and abundantlyโ€”we have more than enough.

โœจ I am so lucky. Good things always happen to me.

Iโ€™m planning to explore meditation and a positive self-talk app to deepen this mindset shift. Ohโ€”and I started entering sweepstakes again. Trips and cash are coming my way. ๐Ÿ˜‰

I trust the timing of my life. Iโ€™m grounded in gratitude, clear in my vision, and wide open to the abundance headed my way.

โœจ Bring it on, Universe. Iโ€™m ready. ๐Ÿ’ซ

๐Ÿ’ซ Letโ€™s Stay Connected!
If youโ€™re enjoying these posts and want more daily inspiration, manifesting tips, and behind-the-scenes moments, come follow along on Facebook! Iโ€™d love to have you join the journey. ๐Ÿ’•

#Gratitude #Manifestation #DreamLifeInProgress