There are only a few days left of 2026.
Before it slips away,
let's sit with it for six minutes and say thank you properly.
Get comfortable.
Near a fire, if you've got one.
A lamp and a blanket work just as well.
Let your eyes close.
You don't need to feel grateful yet.
We'll get there slowly.
Breathe in through your nose...
slow and easy.
And out through your mouth...
letting the busy part of the week drop away.
In again...
filling up.
And out...
all the way.
Now let the year pass by in your mind, like seasons through a window.
in Start back January.
Cold mornings.
What were you hoping for back then?
What was on your mind?
Let it move into spring.
Longer evenings.
Maybe something started, or ended.
Then summer.
Where were you?
Somewhere new, or right at home with the windows open?
Who was around?
Let a picture come, even blurry a one.
And fall, rolling into now.
The leaves gone.
The dark coming early.
This moment.
A lot happened.
More than you probably give yourself credit for.
Some of this year was hard.
Let yourself remember one of the hard parts.
Not the worst of it, if you'd rather not.
Just something that stretched you.
You don't have to be glad it happened.
allowed to wish it hadn't.
But see if there's anything it left behind.
Something you learned.
Something you're a bit tougher about now, or a bit softer.
If there is, you it can thank for that one thing.
Quietly.
And leave the rest.
If your mind wanders into planning next year, or replaying some conversation, that's okay.
Just come back to the fire, and the breath.
Now the good parts.
Let one come up.
Big or small.
Maybe a day that went better than you expected.
Or a laugh that caught you off guard, the kind where you couldn't stop
for a minute.
Even the ordinary days count.
A good cup of coffee.
A quiet Sunday.
Your own bed at night.
And the people.
Picture a face from this year that made things easier.
Someone who showed up, or just made you smile at the right moment.
Say thank you to them in your head.
They won't hear it,
but you will.
If another face comes, thank them too.
And now, one more.
Thank yourself.
You got up on the days you didn't want to.
You kept going.
You're at here, the end of the year, still trying.
That matters.
Let a few words settle Thank in.
you for getting me through this I year.
did the best I could with what I'm I had.
grateful for what this year gave me,
and ready to let it go.
Rest here for a while.
Warm.
Thankful, even a little.
Listen to the fire.
Now picture the year like a letter you've just finished writing.
Fold it gently.
Tuck it away somewhere safe.
You don't have to throw it out.
Just let it close.
It's done its job.
Next year can start on a clean page, and you don't have to write
anything on it yet.
Take a slow breath in...
And let it go.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Stretch When a little.
you're ready, open your eyes.
Thank you, 2026.
Even for the bits I wouldn't choose again.
And thank you for spending a few minutes of it here with me.