The Jar Exercise

Some thoughts as the year 2025 comes to an end...

This year I have been doing an exercise, intentionally, as a way to reflect on this year's blessings.

I have been filling an empty jar with small paper notes on which I wrote beautiful moments to be thankful for, that have happened this year, both on a personal and professional level. And I decided to open it on December 31st.

In a society built on comparison ('comparison is the thief of joy!') that makes people constantly evaluate their worth, abilities, and status against others, also on social media, affecting self-esteem and mood, we sometimes forget to appreciate our own progress and accomplishments, no matter how big or small. People often judge others for their achievements while neglecting their own dreams, failing to focus on themselves and thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. But we all know that the grass is greener where it is watered. So action was taken.

Start appreciating and celebrating each accomplishment - the big ones, the small ones, even the ones in between. This gives your life something that comparison will never touch.

I have chosen to stay grounded and grateful for every step of my journey. Staying in my lane, focused, thankful, while growing, learning, living, adapting to challenges, making memories.

This doesn’t mean there weren’t any difficult moments - it simply means I am focusing on the light, on the sparks that fill the heart with positivity and warmth.

I believe carefully choosing your thoughts, choosing gratitude over comparison is like planting your little garden...of joy! No matter what others are doing or thinking, you’re nurturing your own growth. By living with this attitude, your jar will be full of meaningful moments, not just highlights, but real moments that show you the essence of your growth.

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." (Steve Jobs)

Sometimes your life events will seem random, until one day, you look back and see how they led you to where you are now, and how far you've come.

You'll connect the dots...and the small paper notes in your jar can help you.

Each little note will be like a tiny time capsule of happiness and special moments of your life to remember, and to be proud of yourself. You are the one who made the choice, put in the work (the hard work) and the discipline to achieve them.

These are memories and moments that I want to cherish again just before the new year starts, and opening the jar on December 31st will probably feel like unwrapping little presents.

I am pretty sure this exercise will make you feel great, so why don't you start doing it from January 1st 2026? I bet your future self at the end of 2026 is going to feel so warm and grateful when you open that jar. Little note: don't focus on 'how many notes you have'. Focus on living, day by day, and celebrate everything - you are important, your life is important!

I will do the jar exercise again. Should this become a tradition? I think it's such a powerful way to close the year and start the new one.

Today, be the reason someone feels: loved, helped, heard, valued, inspired, seen, encouraged, better.

You got this, and I'm with you!

Thanks for reading, I hope my words helped. I will use this blog to share my experiences (life/work) and insights with you. Hope to talk to you in the comments, feel free to ask me questions below.

Sending love and Happy New Year 2026!

Chiara x

---