Hi friends,
As the year comes to a close, I wanted to share the annual reflection prompts I’ve been returning to for several years now. They’ve helped me take stock of the past year, notice how I’ve grown, and gently orient myself toward what’s next. One unexpected bonus is revisiting old entries: seeing my reflections from 2022, 2023 remind me how much life can shift in a short time.
I often leave these reflections with a sense of gratitude. That felt especially true this year. Between a family emergency, a breakup, and moving back to Hong Kong— a city I hadn’t lived in since I was 14 — 2025 truly felt like the longest year for me yet. I staggered my way into the fall, just barely making it, and at times the shittier moments seemed to eclipse everything else.
This reflection practice helped me recognize and give myself credit for all the wins I had, both big or small: writing my book; publishing my book; founding an artist residency and running month-long programs in Berlin and Vietnam. It helped me see the full shape of the year: the highs and lows, the in-betweens, all the ways I’ve grown. More than anything, it gave me space to reflect on who I was this year, and who I want to be in 2026. I’d recommend this ritual to anyone looking to move into 2026 with a little more intention and care.
I’ve shared a copy of the reflection prompts here, along with a few excerpts below.
Sending lots of love and wishing everyone a beautiful New Year,
Kora
I. Reflecting back on 2025
Describe the year in one sentence:
1. Review
Words to describe 2025:
Countries visited:
Number of books read:
Best book(s) I read this year:
Best movie(s):
Favourite country I visited:
Favourite new friend(s):
Coolest new experience(s):
Most intense week(s):
What am I most proud of creatively?
What am I most proud of professionally?
What am I most proud of personally:
What am I most proud of physically:
What do I regret?
2. Recap
Where did I achieve or succeed in my goals this year?
Where did I fall short?
Which goals became less important?
What experiments did I try? (e.g. no phone for 1 hour before bed)
What new skills did I develop? (e.g. saying no, cooking, etc.)
What new habits did I develop? (e.g. yoga, journaling, etc.)
What did I learn from this year?
What am I most grateful for?
What will I leave behind in 2025?
3. Reflect
What was the main theme of 2025?
Which moments left me feeling a sense of awe and wonder?
Which moments or situations did I embrace discomfort?
Which relationships nourished me this year? Who supported me?
II. Looking ahead to 2026
1. Goal setting + action
3 core desired feelings for 2026:
Which creative habits will you embrace?
What do you want to do for personal development?
Write down your 5 biggest goals for this year that you are GOING to achieve.
Where do you envision yourself at the end of this year? Write a specific scene - what are you doing, who are you with, how are you feeling? Be specific.
Write down 3 steps you can take for each of your 5 goals above that are actionable in the next few months.
2. Support system
Which principles are non-negotiable for next year?
With whom or where do you want to spend more time next year?
Which things will you cut from your daily habits? What will you no longer make time for? (e.g. social media, books you don’t enjoy, pleasing others)
What boundaries will you set with yourself and others?
👋 If you’d like to support my work, feel free to…
1. Like, share, and restack this post. Any engagement really does help :)
2. Follow my journey on Instagram @kunstlerroaming.
3. Order a copy of my book, the sea, the sky, the sun ♥
AHHH i loved this. i remember reading one of your posts last year. i think it was the "submitting my first manuscript" one? it must be such a wonderful feeling seeing your efforts come to fruition. what a year you've had. your art is so beautiful!!