Therapy Goal Reflections of 2025: Glimmers and Grows

“What actually changed for me this year?”

As the year winds down, many of us start reflecting on what went well and what didn’t. In therapy, this reflection can be powerful. We like to think of it as Glimmers and Grows:

• Glimmers are your wins, the small or big moments of progress that sometimes go unnoticed.
• Grows are opportunities — areas where you want to keep learning, practicing, and growing.

This isn’t about judgment or perfection. It’s about curiosity, self-compassion, and celebrating the steps you’ve actually taken.

Glimmers can be anything from a tiny shift in your mindset to a major breakthrough. Examples might include:

• Speaking up in a meeting or conversation instead of holding back
• Noticing and pausing before reacting to stress or triggers
• Reaching out for support when things felt heavy
• Practicing self-care consistently, even for five minutes a day
• Setting and maintaining a personal boundary successfully

Even if the wins feel small, they matter. Therapy is often about these subtle shifts that accumulate over time into meaningful change.

Grows aren’t failures. They’re a chance to see where you want to invest energy next. Examples might include:

• Managing stress more effectively during high-pressure moments
• Deepening emotional connections with friends, family, or partners
• Addressing patterns of self-doubt or negative self-talk
• Practicing patience with yourself when things don’t go perfectly
• Exploring new coping strategies or life skills

Identifying grows helps you enter the new year with intention instead of guilt. It’s about noticing where progress is possible and creating a plan that feels doable.

Here’s a simple framework for Glimmers and Grows you can try before the year ends:

1. Take a few quiet moments with a journal, your favorite drink, or a cozy spot.
2. List your glimmers first. Celebrate at least five things you did differently or better than last year.
3. List your grows second. Frame them as opportunities to explore, not failures.
4. Pick one small, actionable step for each grow. What is one thing you can do in the next month or two to move forward?

This reflection process helps you step into 2026 with clarity, self-compassion, and purpose.

Taking stock of your therapy journey is more than an exercise — it’s a way to strengthen self-awareness and reinforce your progress. Glimmers remind you how far you’ve come, and grows give you a map for the next part of your journey.

At Center for Hope and Renewal, we guide clients in Jersey City to recognize wins, embrace growth opportunities, and set intentions for a healthier, more balanced life. Reflection is a tool to celebrate yourself and continue moving forward — without judgment, without pressure.

Your Year in Review

Before the holiday rush takes over, consider giving yourself this gift: a pause, a reflection, and a moment to notice both your glimmers and grows. You might be surprised by how much progress you’ve made and how ready you are to embrace what’s next.

Center for Hope and Renewal – in-person and virtual therapy available in Jersey City, NJ.

Contact us at   (551) 349-1727