Finishing Well

by Beth Davis on January 12, 2026

I’ve always had a fascination with beginnings—a new school year, the turn of the calendar, the start of a fresh project. Endings, on the other hand, have taken more practice.

Finishing a project. The last day of a role or volunteer commitment. The return home from a much-anticipated trip. Even with hobbies I love—quilting, photography, hiking—every hike eventually reaches a conclusion, while many of my projects… do not. Learning to appreciate endings—even good ones—has become its own ongoing, unfinished project.

Here at the beginning of the year, I’m choosing to pause and reflect. I’m asking myself simple but important questions: What went well? What deserves celebration? What was hard? What is ready to be released? I hope I finished 2025 well so that 2026 can begin with clarity and care.

I’ve learned that becoming the person I want to be requires periodic finishing and letting go. Fresh starts aren’t just about new goals or better systems—they’re about making space. Space to reset intentions. Space to choose how I want to show up. Space to lead with alignment rather than urgency.

One of my favorite tools for this season is the Year Compass —a free, thoughtfully designed guide that helps you reflect on the year behind you and look ahead with intention. While it includes some gentle goal-setting, what I appreciate most is how it invites reflection on who you want to be rather than just what you want to accomplish.

Over time, I’ve noticed that when I choose how I want to show up—how I lead, relate, and care for myself—many of the goals and dreams follow, often in ways I couldn’t have planned.

If you find yourself wanting to close this year thoughtfully and step into the next one encouraged, empowered, and better equipped, this resource may be a meaningful place to start.

As always, it’s a privilege to walk alongside you. And if this feels like a year when having space to reflect, discern, or plan with greater intention would be supportive, I’m here to provide that for you.

Wishing you a meaningful close to 2025 and an intentional beginning to 2026, Beth

Beth is a life coach and would be happy to talk with you about her services. Find out more about Beth and how to connect with her .