The last day of the year is approaching and it is normal to make a balance of what happened to us 2025think about how we feel, about specific situations, about people or new things to incorporate.
If what we are looking for is to be more happy Next year, it is important to ask ourselves questions to identify what can help us and what is better to leave in 2025 so that it does not stop us from pursuing our goal.
In The New York Timesthe American journalist Jancee Dunn he asked different experts to think of questions that lead to reflection and help to think how to be happier in 2026.
What questions to ask yourself this end of the year to be happier? Photo: Freepik.
The 7 questions to ask yourself before 2026
What is worth remembering about 2025?
Kandi Wiensdoctor in Education and author of the book «Immunity to burnout: how emotional intelligence can help you develop resilience and heal your relationship with work»proposed to think about what is worth remembering about 2025.
It is not necessary to make a list of milestones, but that which gave meaning to your year. «It’s the conversation that changed something, the quiet moment that surprised you, how difficult it turned out to be important, how small it was bigger than it seemed,» the author explained to the medium.
When did you feel most happy and carefree?
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota, Valerie Tiberiussuggested asking yourself when you felt happiest this year.
Was it with a particular person? Was it in a certain place? Being able to identify this will help you decide how to spend your time in the 2026 and be more happy.
Thinking about the moments when you felt happy can help you know how and where to spend your time and energy this new year. Photo: Freepik.
What gave you energy and what drained it?
Deepika Chopra, psychologist clinician and author of the book «The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life is Hard»also joined the list of experts who proposed a question to ask you before the end of the year.
«A year is not only about what happened to you, but also about how you responded to what happened. Two people can experience the same event and come out of it in a very different way,» said the expert.
Asking yourself what nourished you and what drained you can help you know where it is worth putting your energy and where it is not.
What seemed impossible, but you did it anyway?
Besides, Chopra He proposed to reflect on the challenges you had to face. He assures that this is the key to having more confidence, motivation and optimism.
By thinking about moments in the past where it seemed impossible to move forward, the belief is reinforced that it is possible to overcome obstacles that may arise in the future. The expert explains that what you take away from these situations is not positivity, but thinking that you adapted, learned and recovered.
It is important to think about how we adapt to and overcome challenges.
What habit, if you did it more consistently, would have a positive effect on your life?
The director of the department of Applied Psychology at NYU Steinhardt, Anil Chackosays that every time a year is about to end, we think about those new things we would have to do.
However, he explains that we tend to forget about those good habits that we currently have.
What were you trying to control that was actually out of your control?
Letting go of things that are out of our control is the best way to «reduce your mental load»dice Chopra.
The psychologist proposes to think about what you could not control, such as someone’s response or interpretation in an argument, and let it go to be more feliz it is 2026.
Is there anyone you have to forgive in 2026?
Anthony Chamberscouples and family psychologist and academic director of the Family Institute at Northwestern University, proposes asking if there is someone we should forgive in 2026.
The expert explains that holding on to anger and resentment can consume both mental and physical energy. He assures that forgiving is not forgetting, but rather it is a «choice to stop allowing a past action to control our present emotions».
