The Pressure of the "Beta Version"

By the time December 31st rolls around, the marketing machines are in full swing. Your inbox is likely full of "New Year, New You" challenges, and your social media feed is a parade of people announcing their intentions to be faster, thinner, richer, and more productive. It creates this subconscious feeling that the current version of you—the one sitting here right now—is somehow a "beta version" that needs to be deleted at midnight to make room for something better.

Meeting Your "Past Self" in the Trenches

But before you start drafting your 2026 manifestos, I want you to do something radical: Look back at the person you were in the trenches of this year. Think about the version of you in March who was dealing with that burnout you didn't tell anyone about. Think about the you in July who felt lonely, or the you in October who had to make a really difficult decision. That version of you didn't have the benefit of hindsight. They didn't know if things were going to work out. They were navigating a map they hadn't drawn yet, with energy reserves that were often running on empty.

Shifting from "Should-Haves" to "Did-Haves"

We tend to be our own harshest critics. We look back at our year and see a list of "should-haves." I should have worked out more. I should have saved more money. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we looked back and saw "did-haves"? I did show up when I was tired. I did try again after a failure. I did find a way to laugh even when things were messy. Offering yourself kindness isn't about ignoring your mistakes; it’s about acknowledging your humanity. You had seasons this year—springs of growth, but also winters where you just needed to hibernate.

A Quiet Moment of Gratitude

Before the clock strikes midnight, take a moment to sit in the quiet. Close your eyes and tell that "past you" thank you. Thank them for getting up on the mornings they didn't want to. Thank them for being brave when they felt small. You don't need to apologize for the days you just survived. Survival is a triumph in itself. Start your new year not by running away from who you’ve been, but by walking hand-in-hand with them into the future.

Worth Remembering

This New Year’s Eve, don’t try to outrun your past. Instead, invite it to the table, offer it a seat, and thank it for the lessons. You are entering a new chapter with a wealth of experience that only the "old" you could have provided. Be proud of that person.