Year-End Reflections: Wins, Lessons & Resetting for 2026
Year-end reflections aren’t always pretty out of the gate, but require some deeper digging to see the good things that did happen, This episode was meant to happen a few times before it finally did, and when Amber and I finally hit record, it felt exactly like what it was supposed to be: a real check-in.
This conversation is a mix of reflection, processing, and looking ahead, not in a polished, perfectly wrapped way (because when is it ever with us?), but in the way real life tends to show up. We talk about burnout, recovery, injuries, fear, momentum, and the quiet wins that don’t always feel tangible in the moment.
Year-End Reflections: Wins, Lessons & Resetting for 2026
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Burnout shows up in the body before we admit it
One of the biggest themes that kept surfacing was how burnout doesn’t always announce itself clearly. Sometimes it shows up as exhaustion that won’t lift, weird aches and pains, disrupted cycles, or a nervous system that just refuses to cooperate anymore.
We talked honestly about what it feels like to hit that wall — when pushing through no longer works, and your body starts screaming “no” louder than your mind is willing to listen.
Key takeaway: Burnout isn’t a failure of discipline. It’s often a signal that something needs to change.
Recovery isn’t just physical — it’s mental
Amber shares openly about recovering from meniscus surgery and how healing goes far beyond the physical rehab. Retraining your brain to trust your body again can be just as challenging as rebuilding strength.
There’s fear in movement after injury. There’s hesitation. There’s that internal voice that wants to protect you — even when you’re ready to move forward.
Key takeaway: Healing requires patience, permission, and a willingness to meet yourself where you actually are.
The wins we forget to count
This year held a lot of growth — even if it didn’t always feel like it in the moment. We talked about the wins that don’t come with trophies or clean metrics: showing up, trying things that felt intimidating, saying yes before feeling “ready,” and building relationships that matter.
Some progress only makes sense when you look back.
Key takeaway: Not all wins are visible right away — but that doesn’t make them any less real.
Letting go of perfection before starting
A recurring thread in this episode is the pressure to be fully prepared before taking action — something many women struggle with. We talked about how waiting until everything feels perfect can keep you stuck, and how so much growth comes from learning as you go.
Whether it’s movement, business, creativity, or personal goals, starting imperfectly often matters more than starting “ready.”
Key takeaway: You don’t need permission to begin. You learn by doing.
Resetting for 2026 (without the pressure)
Instead of traditional resolutions, this conversation leans toward intention. What do we want to carry forward? What needs to be shed? What systems, habits, or expectations no longer serve us?
We talk about soft goals, long-term vision, spirituality, movement, routine, and the idea that growth doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful.
Key takeaway: A reset doesn’t require a complete overhaul — sometimes it starts with small, sustainable shifts.
Sponsor shoutout
A huge thank you to NoSo Patches for supporting the podcast over the past few months. Their support was a meaningful milestone for the show in 2025, and I’m incredibly grateful. Use code flairinitup for 15% off! P.S. This is not an affiliate code - meaning we don’t earn any money from it, but using it still helps them know we sent you 😊
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