A Gentle Year-End Reset

As the year comes to a close, life doesn’t usually slow down with it.

Work wraps up with deadlines and loose ends. Routines feel off. The house is fuller, louder, and busier than usual. Even good things can feel heavy when we’re tired.

If you’re a working woman, you might be carrying all of this quietly — trying to finish the year strong while already feeling worn down.

I’ve learned that this season doesn’t need more pushing or planning. What it often needs is a pause. A moment to breathe. A chance to reflect before moving forward.

Not a reset that demands change — but one that offers closure, and the last two weeks of the year is the perfect time for it.

When the Year Feels Full

This time of year has a way of stirring everything at once. Gratitude for what’s been. Relief that it’s ending. Hope for what’s ahead. And exhaustion woven through it all.

Scripture reminds us that peace isn’t found in perfectly managed days, but in turning our hearts toward Jesus our Messiah in the middle of real life.

““You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]..” — Isaiah 26:3 AMP

Peace doesn’t always come from quiet circumstances. It begins when we choose to be still — even briefly — and allow God to meet us there. In John 14:27 Jesus says He has left His peace with us, so receiving it and intentionally applying it is our job. So how do we do that?

Creating Space to Reflect

For me, creating space to reflect doesn’t usually look like a retreat alone in a quiet secluded place - that’s never been possible here! Most days, it’s much simpler than that.

It might be a few minutes before the house wakes up. It might be in the evening once everything finally settles. Because I’m older and the memory isn’t what it once was; a journal is helpful (a hot drink even better!) But sometimes it’s just a pause before starting the next thing, a scrap piece of paper to jot a thought and a deep breath, a scripture from memory and even a change of position.

What matters most isn’t the amount of time or the thing — it’s the intention.

One small practice that’s helped me slow my thoughts and settle my heart is pairing these moments with essential oils. Not as something else to accomplish, but as a gentle cue to pause, senses drawn to something else that offers comfort, steadiness or energy.

If I’m diffusing, I’ll add a few drops of Frankincense, Balance®, Adaptive® or a citrus oil like Wild Orange or Lemon and let the aroma quietly fill the space while I sit, pray, or write. It helps mark the moment as different — set apart and cues my mind to rest instead of process. Even the act of setting up and starting the diffuser helps me to change gears and wrangle a distracted or tired mind.

Other days, I’ll place a drop or two in my hands, rub them together, and take a slow breath in before exhaling. It’s simple, but grounding — especially when my mind feels full.

If I want something more tangible, I’ll dilute a drop with a carrier oil and apply it to my wrists or the back of my neck. It becomes a small physical reminder to slow down and be present.

Each oil brings something a little different:

Frankincense has become part of my quiet moments of prayer and reflection. Often I apply my anointing oil before prayer to help me focus.
Balance® helps when emotions feel rushed or unsteady. It’s amazing diffused and even a little on the bottom of the feet goes a long way.
Adaptive® is another alternative that is a little brighter and fresher that I love. I keep it on my desk where I experience the most stress each day.
Wild Orange or Lemon adds a sense of lightness and hope, which I especially appreciate during darker winter days. Sometimes a little sunshine in a bottle changes everything!

There’s no formula here. The oils simply support a shift and draw your attention to something positive and beautiful. Sometimes rest starts with nothing more than a breath and the willingness to pause. (If you’re interested in any of the essential oils mentioned, I’ve created a small cart in my doTERRA store that you’re welcome to explore by clicking the button below. In this cart are all the products referenced above for your convenience. Feel free to add or delete to make the cart your own.)

doterra cart

Reflecting Without Pressure

These reflections are less about setting resolutions or creating a plan for the year ahead than about gently closing the season you’re in. So often we rush from one season to the next and that can cause us to feel like we are on a never ending, never succeeding hamster wheel. Some thoughtful reflection can be incredibly uplifting and satisfying.

Here are a few questions I like to sit with at the end of the year:

What carried me through this year?
Where did I see God’s faithfulness, even in hard moments?
What am I grateful for — not just what did I accomplish?
What do I need to release before stepping into what’s next?
What does rest look like for me right now as I transition into the next year?

There’s no rush to answer these. Let them unfold slowly. Let grace lead.

Ending the Year with Intention

As working moms, it’s easy to move straight from one season into the next without ever stopping to breathe. But there’s something meaningful about closing the year with intention.

Diffusing a calming oil in the evening. Writing a short prayer of gratitude. Sitting quietly for a few minutes before bed.

These small practices don’t change everything — but they change how we carry everything.

A Small Gift for You

To support this time of reflection, I created a simple Year-End Reflection Journaling Page — especially for busy working moms who want to slow down and end the year with intention.

It’s a one-page printable you can use during a quiet moment, with a diffuser nearby, or whenever you’re able to pause.

✨ You can download it for free below.

👉 [Download the Free Year-End Reflection Page]