The Year Gone By, The Year to Come

Learning to Pause, Let Loose, and Breathe Between the Comparisons

As one year ends and another begins, our minds naturally sit at a strange crossroads. One part of us looks back — replaying moments, decisions, wins, losses, and all the what ifs. The other part looks ahead — full of excitement, plans, goals, and expectations.

The idea of “the year gone by and the year to come” sounds poetic, hopeful, and motivating. And yes, there is something beautiful about new beginnings. A new year gives us a sense of reset — a fresh page, a clean calendar, a chance to do things differently.

But here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough.

This constant looking back and comparing — Was I better last year? Did I achieve enough? Am I behind others? — can quietly make us anxious.

Social media makes it louder. Everyone seems to have “won” the year. Promotions, weddings, travels, milestones, glow-ups. And suddenly, the excitement of a new year turns into pressure. Pressure to improve. Pressure to catch up. Pressure to prove something.

What if this year, instead of obsessing over comparison, we chose to let loose?

Let loose from timelines.
Let loose from unrealistic resolutions.
Let loose from the idea that every year must be “productive” or “extraordinary.”

Growth doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes, growth looks like surviving. Like learning to say no. Like protecting your peace. Like choosing rest without guilt.

The year gone by doesn’t need to be judged. It happened. It shaped you. It taught you something — even if the lesson was uncomfortable. And the year to come doesn’t need to be over planned. You don’t have to have it all figured out on Day 1.

It’s okay to feel excited and uncertain at the same time.

This new year, maybe the goal isn’t to become a “better” version of yourself. Maybe it’s to become a kinder one. Kinder to your pace. Kinder to your mistakes. Kinder to the person you were trying to survive last year.

Pause between the comparisons.
Breathe between the expectations.
Allow yourself to simply be.

Sometimes, that’s more than enough.

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