13 Important Things To Do Before End Of Year

Here are 13 things to do before the end of year to properly close this chapter of your life and enter the new year feeling fresh and happy.

There’s a lot of hype around new year festivities, but we rarely talk about things to do before the year ends.

Most people are caught up in parties, festive treats, and indulging in their last-minute guilty pleasures before they vow to quit on January 1st.

I’m not here to be a buzzkill. You should absolutely embrace the holiday spirit.

Enjoy the warm drinks, the sweet treats, and the joyful chaos that comes with family gatherings.

But what if we could savor those moments and still make the transition into the new year a little smoother?

By being a little mindful during the last few days of the year, you can enter the new year feeling properly prepared.

In this post, we’ll look at 13 things to do before new year to set yourself up for good times ahead.

This little list will help you hit the ground running in January, without feeling like you’ve left loose ends from the old year dangling in the air.

If you’re ready to wrap up 2024 on a high note, here are some things to consider adding to your end-of-year checklist:

13 Things You Should Do Before The End Of 2024

1. Reflect On The Year Gone By

The end of a year is like the end of a chapter in your story.

Looking back on it will help you make the new chapter in your life better.

So, whenever you are up for it, sit down and think about everything that happened in 2024.

The highs, the lows, the unexpected surprises, and all the life lessons that you learned.

Think of it as a mental inventory check before stepping into the new year.

Ask yourself:

What were the best moments of this year?
What challenges did I overcome?
What lessons did I learn?

(See more: 21 End Of The Year Reflection Questions You Need To Ask Yourself)

This will help you understand how much you’ve grown and what you want to carry forward into the new year.

It’s also the perfect excuse to pour yourself a cup of something warm (which is chai for me), and just let your thoughts flow.

2. Set Small Goals For December

People usually avoid setting any goals in December because they want to launch their goals in the new year.

They know they will be working on themselves from the 1st of January, so they give in to the December fun and don’t bother setting any goals.

And that, my friends, is why most of these people fail at keeping their new year’s resolutions.

To ace your new year goals, you need to set the stage in advance.

This means, setting mini goals and ticking them off in December so that you can train your mind to be consistent and persistent.

Do this and you will have higher chances of seeing your resolutions through till the end.

Here are some December goals you can set without ruining your fun:

Read one more book before the year ends
Take daily walks to enjoy the winter air
Try out a new hobby
Do mediation every day
Practice five new affirmations
Journal before bed, even if you only write one paragraph
Do yoga on the weekends

3. Declutter and Organize Your Space

I know that decluttering sounds like such a cliche ritual, but there’s no denying that it is the most important thing you can do before the new year.

The last thing you want to do in January is run around your house cleaning things up. So, get organized now while there is still time.

Declutter your desk, your wardrobe, and that one drawer that’s been silently driving you crazy all year.

Donate the unused items and throw away the unusable ones.

Organize your items in a way that makes it easy to find them and also nice to look at.

No clutter and disorganization should be visible in any corner of the house.

I know the process can be a tad boring and tiring, but plug some music in and get it done.

Your new year self deserves to start clean and fresh.

4. Finish Your Pending Tasks

Everyone has some little and big tasks that they keep pushing off — emails that need replying, bills that need to be paid, and projects that need finishing.

It’s best to tie these loose ends before the end of the year so that you can enter the new year with a fresh slate.

Make a list of everything that’s been lingering on your mind and cross off as many items as possible.

It’d be a big relief to end the year without those nagging to-dos following you into January.

5. Review Your Financial Situation

I’m not saying you need to overhaul your finances before the year ends.

But taking a quick look at your budget, tracking your spending, and seeing where your money went in 2024 can be pretty eye-opening.

Maybe you can spot a few areas where you could cut back or decide to start the new year with a financial goal in mind.

Even something as simple as setting up a savings plan or deciding to invest in yourself a bit more in 2025 can make a huge difference.

So, do some financial reviewing before the year ends and mend your relationship with money.

It could pave the way for a better financial year ahead.

You’ll love: 15 Hobbies That Make Money And Are Excellent For A Side Income

6. Create A Vision Board for 2025

I’ll admit that I am yet to make a proper vision board.

So far, I’ve only made digital vision boards, but they are no match for a real board hanging in your room.

Vision boards aren’t just for the artsy folks. They’re for anyone who wants to visualize their dreams and goals.

Since I prattle so much about goals and resolutions, it isn’t okay for me not to have tried this.

So, I plan on making one during the last week of this year. If you’re interested, then do the same!

Grab some old magazines, print out some inspiring quotes, and grab all the pictures from your Pinterest boards that speak to your soul.

Get creative and put your intentions for the next year on display.

Every time you look at your board, you’ll feel motivated to make those dreams a reality.

7. Reconnect With Your Loved Ones

Life gets busy, and sometimes we unintentionally lose touch with the people who matter the most to us.

But I feel like no matter what stage of life you’re at, you should make time for your friends and family.

Before the year reconnect with your people and set an intention to connect with them more often going forward.

Send them a quick text, make a phone call, and catch up over video chats (bless technology for all these magical options!).

Let them know you’re thinking of them, especially during this festive season.

It’s always good to end the year with a heart full of love and gratitude.

8. Reflect On Your Health and Well-being

How did you take care of yourself in 2024?

Did you move your body enough, eat nourishing foods, and prioritize rest and relaxation?

The end of the year is the right time to ask yourself these important questions and see where your health stands in your life.

Assess your current health without any judgments and see what changes you want to make in your health routine.

Don’t just focus on your body. Make plans to work on your mind and soul too. A balanced life is the healthiest life, always.

You can also adopt some good habits before 2025 so that you can start the year feeling healthier.

Once the year begins, you can properly launch your health routine and work on yourself with renewed energy.

9. Make Space For Gratitude

If you ask me what zone I’d like to be in at the end of the year, my answer would be gratitude.

I don’t want feelings of regret, dissatisfaction, and discontent to weigh me down, and I think you shouldn’t either.

Gratitude is the best gift you can give to your heart before the year ends.

Take a moment to think about all the things you’re grateful for, no matter how big or small they are.

Maybe it’s the support from loved ones, a memorable trip you took, or simply the fact that you’ve made it through another year.

If you’re up for it, create a gratitude list and keep it close to you.

Gratitude and contentment are good emotions to have in your pocket while entering the new year.

Might help: 9 Heartfelt Ways To Be More Grateful In Life

10. Plan Your Goals For 2025

On the first day of the new year, the fresh start effect is in full mode.

Obviously, you will want to tap into this energy and set some awesome goals for yourself.

But to be truly successful, you should always pick and plan your new year goals in advance (not just the usual resolutions but things that genuinely excite you).

Break your goals down into small steps that you can start working on as soon as January rolls around.

I always focus only on the first quarter at the start of the year to avoid getting overwhelmed.

So, if I wanted to learn a new language in the coming year, I’d set a goal to work on it for 15 minutes a day till the end of March.

If I like my progress and am interested enough, I then carry on that goal into the next quarter.

It’s a nice tactic that saves me from getting bored with my goals.

If you like the idea, then make an action plan for just the first three months of the new year.

You’ll be a lot more likely to succeed this way.

11. Create A Self Care Routine

Resolutions like weight loss and making more money are the most popular ones, and I get why.

But what about self-care and mental health?

Your mental health is just as worthy of your time and attention as the other areas of your life (and maybe even more so).

So, to avoid burning yourself out amidst the new year chaos, start a self-care routine that you can carry into the new year.

Do morning stretches, sip a cup of green tea every day, keep a bedtime journal, or go for walks.

I have been doing five-minute meditations since the start of the year and I will be carrying it with me into the next year as well. I also do journaling at least once a week.

All this, combined with reading and drinking calming tea, is a part of my routine.

Feel free to try some of these ideas for your own self-care routine and get into the habit of pouring into your well-being before the year ends.

12. Declutter Your Digital Life

Digital clutter doesn’t just slow down your devices; it also weighs you down mentally without you even being aware of it.

Take some time before the year ends to do a thorough clean-up:

Unfollow accounts on social media that feel even slightly negative.
Organize your email inbox by creating folders for important messages and unsubscribing from unwanted newsletters.
Delete apps you haven’t used in months.
Update your passwords and do a quick security check to ensure that your online info is safe.

All these steps will make scrolling through your feeds feel good again!

13. Plan A Fun Year-End Celebration

Last but not least, plan a year-end celebration!

If you’re into fun gatherings, then you can organize a small party or find one happening in your area to attend.

You can also have a quiet night in with your favorite movie or a new book by your fav author (this is my personal favorite!).

You can also watch the fireworks at night by yourself or with your partner/friends.

Celebrate all that you’ve achieved in 2024 and welcome the new year with open arms.

This is your chance to toast to the amazing year you’ve had and the even better one that’s on its way.

Let’s End The Year With Grace, Friends

If you want to end this year with a sense of peace and clarity, then try out some of the ideas from this post.

You deserve to end the year on a blissful and organized note.

I wish you a very happy end of year and an even happier new year ahead!

Can you think of 2 pre-new-year rituals, other than the ones mentioned here? If yes, let me know in the comment box. I’d love to try something new this time.