Before the New Year: You Don’t Need a Fresh Start

Anchored Insights

As the year comes to a close, it’s common to feel pressure to evaluate everything before January arrives.

What went well.
What fell apart.
What needs to change next.

For many parents, teens, and adults navigating ADHD, executive function challenges, or simply full and demanding lives, this pressure can feel especially heavy.

But here’s a gentle reframe.

You don’t need a fresh start.
You don’t need to become someone new.
And you don’t need to wait until January to begin again.

What you may need instead is an anchor.

An anchor isn’t about stopping forward movement. It’s about creating enough steadiness to move forward with intention rather than urgency.

In my work as a pediatric mental health physician and coach, I often see how quickly people try to “fix” themselves at the end of the year. Without reflection and grounding, those changes rarely stick. With awareness and support, even small shifts can feel meaningful and sustainable.

Pausing before the new year

Before setting goals or resolutions, it can be helpful to pause and ask:

• When did I feel most grounded this year?

• When did I feel overwhelmed or disconnected?

• What helped me feel supported, even in small ways?

There’s no need to judge the answers. Reflection itself is a form of care.

Anchoring with intention

Anchoring doesn’t mean doing more. It often means choosing one or two supportive practices, conversations, or structures that help you feel steadier.

For some, that might look like clearer routines.
For others, it might mean naming boundaries or reaching out for support.
For families, it can mean shifting how we talk, listen, and connect.

If you’d like support in this process, I’m hosting a webinar called Anchor Your Year, designed to help individuals and families pause, reflect, and gently map what support might look like moving forward.

You’re welcome to join live or watch the replay. Here is the LINK.

No pressure.
No rush.
Just an invitation to anchor before the year turns.

A final reminder

You are not behind.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
And meaningful change doesn’t require a dramatic reset.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do before the new year is simply to pause and anchor.