A Self-Care Check-In: Harvesting Your Wins for the Year So Far

Before the Year Runs Away: A Gentle Check-In to Harvest Your Wins

Somehow, we’ve blinked, and autumn is knocking on the door. The resolutions we made back in the hopeful light of January may feel a million miles away. Mine certainly feel like a letter written by a different person.

As the year begins its final turn towards winter, it’s so easy for that familiar anxiety to creep in: “What have I even done this year? Have I made any progress? Am I falling behind?”

Hard, but No Judgement

That internal audit can be brutal. We measure the year by the big, shiny goals we set, and we often find ourselves lacking, which can make us feel like we’re on the wrong path entirely. It can trigger a shame spiral and a deep feeling of inadequacy. (As I write this from my pillow fort—because, of course, I’m not where I thought I would be this year—I am keenly aware of that reaction).

But it’s important to temper it. This isn’t a judgement of what you’ve done. Think of it like the noting exercises in meditation; if you attach no implicit value other than ‘yes’ or ‘no’, the goals simply become a checklist. A reminder. A potential ‘to-do’ for the rest of the year.

So, I invite you to put down the auditor’s clipboard. Instead, let’s pick up a harvesting basket. Autumn is a season of gathering in. It’s not about judging the seeds that didn’t sprout, but about gratefully collecting the nourishment from what did grow, often in the places we weren’t even looking.

Your Gentle Check-In: A Few Questions to Ask Yourself

This isn’t a test. There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is simply to be a gentle witness to your own year so far. Find a quiet ten minutes, make a cup of tea, and grab a notebook. Let’s gather your harvest.

• What was a moment of simple, unexpected joy? Think smaller than big holidays. The first truly good coffee of the morning. A message from a friend that landed at the exact right moment. The deep satisfaction of getting into bed with fresh sheets. What tiny glimmer made you smile?
• Recall a time you navigated something hard. It doesn’t have to be a monumental crisis. Maybe you finally made that phone call you’d been dreading, or simply got through a day when your spoons were at zero and survival itself was the victory. How did you show up for yourself?
• When were you truly kind to yourself? Think of a moment you chose compassion over criticism. Perhaps you allowed yourself to rest without guilt, forgave yourself for a mistake, or set a boundary to protect your energy. When did you treat yourself like a dear friend?
• What is something new you learned (about the world, or about yourself)? Did you discover a new podcast you love? A new walking route? Or maybe you learned something deeper – that you’re more resilient than you thought, or that you actually really need quiet time to recharge.
• Who or what has been your ‘Dara Knot’ this year? Who has been a source of strength, connection, or wisdom for you? A partner, a pet, a therapist, a favourite book, or a specific place that makes you feel grounded? Acknowledge your anchors.

This exercise isn’t about creating a highlight reel or pretending the hard parts of the year didn’t happen. It’s about balance. It’s about holding a lamp up to the quiet, steady, and resilient parts of yourself that are so easy to overlook.

As we head into the final few months of the year, let’s do it with a basket full of our own harvested wins. It’s a much lighter and more nourishing way to travel.

What’s one small win you’re adding to your harvesting basket this week? I’d love to hear it in the comments below.

All advice and information offered on this site is offered as is, and you should discuss any treatments you undertake with your GP or other healthcare provider. Unless otherwise identified, our experiences are shared in good faith, but are anecdotal and do not constitue medical advice, but instead, a starting point for your own healing journey.
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