Well…That sucked. 

At the end of each year I do an audit. I just say 2024 was not my best. The majority of the goals I set I did not achieve. Which is completely my fault. I put forth no effort. I was tired, stressed, burnt out, and had absolutely no drive. 

I have talked about setting goals, manifesting and trusting in the Universe. I still do and believe in all those things. I also KNOW I can’t just make a “wish” and think it will come true without doing my part. And last year I did NOT do my part. Actually, I did less than my part. I didn’t even show up. 

That doesn’t mean it was a bad year at all. I had so much fun with my family in 2024. We had so many laughs and great times. Made new friends, saw new places, and started a new job with an amazing team. But, I gave up on goals and didn’t take care of my health the way I have in the past. 

I could let that get me down and feel sorry for myself. Instead I am going to use that to motivate me to do better this year. 

Have you ever done an audit of your year? I first started doing this after listening to Rachel Hollis talk about her yearly calendar audit. Then I heard Mel Robins do a podcast on how she does her audit. Both have great ideas! Give them a listen. 

You can pick a choose how you complete your audit/review of the year. You can also do this anytime! Not just the end/beginning of the year. Are you reading this on April 18? You can still do your audit. You can do a year audit, month audit, 5 year audit. Sky’s the limit. You do you. 

Here is how I do my audit. 

Grab a journal or pieces of paper, your phone and any planner you may have used during the year! 

I use Google calendar to track everything and I have multiple color coded calendars. Each kid has a calendar, appointments, dates with my husband, self care…You get the point. 

I also use a habit tracker on my phone. I use and I love it! I can color code my habits and set a widget on my Home Screen so I actually keep up with it. 

And of course I take a bunch of pictures through out the year. I also, when motivated, use a bullet journal throughout the year to track habits, goals and accomplishments. 

Step 1. Habit comparison 

Once I have everything ready the first thing I do is compare the goals in my habit tracker to the previous year(s). This is really easy using my habit tracker. 

Some of the things I track:

Drinking at least 70oz of water a day 

Yoga 

Meditation 

Coffee at home 

No take out 

Strength Training 

100g of protein a day 

No alcohol 

Did I do better than the year before? Did I hit my water goal more often than the year before? Did I have less take out than the year before? Less alcohol? 

Step 2. Highs and Lows

Next I divide a page for highs and lows. Think a pros and cons list. You can use your calendar and camera roll to help remember what happened throughout the year. Scroll back and start in January. 

Example: In February a low was being effect by my company’s layoff, but a high was getting a new job with an old manager that I really enjoyed working with, and being at a new company with previous coworkers I love. 

A positive was we had family over to our house more often. Negatives were we didn’t get to go on as many dates, we ate more take out and I read less books than previous years. 

Step 3. What did I learn about myself?

After I review the year and my habits I think about what I learned this year. In 2024 I realized I crave silence. In the days I was home alone I wouldn’t turn on the tv or music. I would work or sit in silence and I loved it. I also realized I need to be more present. I might have physically been there, but I’d scroll on my phone, play a game, or numb my anxiety with wine. I don’t want my kids and family to look back and my memories be of me not really being there. 

Step 4. What do I want to start in the next year? 

I wanted to start meal planning again! 

I want to start planning more family time and hosting things at our home. 

Step 5. What do I want to stop doing in the next year?

I plan to really cut back on getting take out and alcohol. (Meal planning for the week really helps with this) 

Step 6. What do I want to continue doing?

In 2024 I started weight training and I plan to continue in 2025. 

How was your audit? 

Did you have more positives than negatives? Or more negatives? I honestly had more negatives in 2024, but not every year is going to be “the best year”. Some years are about slowing down and just surviving. They are years that teach you things about yourself that will help you grow in the future. 

Hopefully, after your review of your year, you feel motivated and excited to take on this next year!