December has a way of magnifying the places we feel we “should have done better.” Empty checklists, half-finished plans, and the familiar urge to grab a mental red pen can make reflection feel more like evaluation than understanding. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This week on Notes from the Couch, we explore what it means to look back on your year without turning against yourself — to hold honesty and compassion at the same time. Compassion isn’t making excuses; it’s recognizing your humanity. Growth doesn’t disappear just because the year felt messy.
If you’re tired of ending every year with self-criticism, this episode offers a softer, steadier way to reflect — and permission to see yourself with more kindness.