Creator reset ritual - end of year review guide - Episode 83
As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and give yourself the gift of a thoughtful reset.
Creators are constantly operating in build mode, which means we rarely pause long enough to acknowledge how far we’ve come or evaluate what’s actually working.
This episode is all about helping you step back, celebrate your progress, and enter the new year more aligned, intentional, and grounded in the direction you want your creative business to grow.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating this week: Festive vlogs on YouTube! GRWM for a holiday party, a festive weekend in NYC, and more
What Austen is consuming this week: Netflix Christmas film Champagne Problems starring Minka Kelly, featuring Christmas in Paris, a cute dog on a vineyard and a romance that started in a magical bookshop
First and foremost, celebrate your wins
Before diving into reviews, audits, and plans, start with something far more important: taking stock of what went well.
Most of us rush past our achievements, but noticing them is what builds long-term confidence and clarity.
If you already track goals or habits throughout the year, revisit your notes and pull out at least one meaningful win from each month.
I use my own Notion Goals & Planning Hub, so I can go into any end-of-month review page and immediately see what stood out.
But it doesn’t have to be that detailed—if monthly feels overwhelming, choose one big win from each quarter or look back through your calendar to jog your memory.
Your wins might look like:
A collaboration with a dream brand
Showing up consistently on a platform
Learning a new tool, editing software, or analytics skill
Trying a new format or launching a new channel
Hitting a revenue milestone
Saying no to a project that didn’t value you
Remember: small wins compound into the big ones.
Tracking them as you go makes this reflection process so much easier at the end of the year.
Audit your year with compassion (not criticism)
A yearly audit can easily turn into a spiral if you approach it like a performance review.
Instead, treat it as a clarity exercise.
It’s not about judging yourself—it’s about understanding what supported you, what drained you, and what you want to bring forward into the new year.
Review your content
Look at what performed well, but also what felt good to create.
My top podcast episodes this year were my Met Gala breakdown, my Sephora sale shopping guide, and my rules I follow as a self-employed creator.
My biggest YouTube hits were my pack-with-me vlog for a girls trip, a Sony vlog camera review, and my video about setting goals in Notion.
Your audience may have gravitated toward certain themes—organization, product reviews, shopping guides, DIY hacks, or content that helps them save time or money.
It’s just as important to reflect on what you enjoyed making most, whether that was Instagram carousels, Threads, vlogs, or podcast episodes.
Audit your time
Take an honest look at how your time was spent professionally and creatively.
What energized you and what drained you
What tasks you could outsource
I hired a podcast VA this year
I also have someone helping with blog SEO
How much of your time was spent on admin versus creation
If your business is seasonal like mine, this can shift drastically throughout the year—but knowing the pattern helps you plan more effectively.
Audit your mindset
Mindset determines so much about how a creative year feels.
Consider:
Where you handled challenges differently than before
What you learned about your natural pace
How you’ve evolved in your approach to failure
I used to pack my to-do lists with a million tasks, but experience has taught me that quality content takes time.
I’m much more intentional now about not overwhelming myself.
Audit your business
This is the practical side of your reflection.
Which income streams grew?
Which slowed down?
Expenses that paid off vs. those that didn’t
Did: Branding shoot
Didn’t: YouTube thumbnail design, online workshop about podcast SEO
Whether certain revenue streams still feel aligned
I closed my membership in 2024 for that reason
Other questions to consider:
What was your highest ROI—time, money, or energy?
What did you do this year that your future self will thank you for?
What would you not do again?
If you could redo this year, what one thing would you change?
End of year creator reset checklist
Now for the tactical part: getting your digital life organized.
If you love a clean slate, this is where things start to feel very satisfying.
These tasks are also included in my quarterly reset template, which you can download here.
Digital declutter
Clean your camera roll and delete duplicates
Organize footage into labeled folders
Archive old contracts, briefs, and invoices
Clear your desktop, downloads, and cloud storage (Clean My Mac is great for this)
Unsubscribe from newsletters that no longer support your goals
Update your creator assets
Refresh your media kit
Update your portfolio with recent work
Revisit your pricing guide and raise rates if appropriate
Refresh your bios across platforms
Update your LTK or storefront
Content and strategy reset
Revisit your niche or content pillars
Ask whether your content reflects who you are now
Identify three platforms or content series to prioritize next year
Choose your primary long-form platform (YouTube, podcast, newsletter, etc.)
Start brainstorming goals for 2026
Plot out major dates for next year—sales, launches, time off, vacations
Summary
A creator reset is less about reinvention and more about recalibration.
By celebrating your wins, auditing your year with clarity and compassion, and refreshing your digital systems, you set yourself up for a year that feels intentional rather than reactive.
This process helps you enter January grounded, organized, and genuinely excited for what’s ahead.
Thank you so much for listening in 2025. I’m off next week for Christmas and will be back on January 1, 2026 with a brand-new episode of Create & Consume.
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