As the year winds down, it’s easy to feel that quiet pressure to “get it together” before January.

The inbox reminders, the unfinished projects, the mental tabs that never close — they all add up.

But what if this season didn’t have to be a sprint to the finish line?

In this episode, Shannon invites you to rethink the end-of-year reset as a process of softening and recalibrating — one that supports your nervous system, your space, and your time in equal measure. You’ll learn how to close open loops, create small moments of closure, and prepare for what’s next with clarity and compassion.

In This Episode

• Why the brain craves closure (not perfection) at the end of the year
• How to create a gentle reset in three layers: Space, Time, and Self
• Why starting now — not January — helps your nervous system regulate and sustain change
• Simple micro-practices to help you wrap up the year with awareness and ease

Key Takeaways

• Your brain isn’t craving productivity — it’s craving completion. Loose ends create background noise in the nervous system.
• Start the descent early. Begin your reset now to transition gradually, not abruptly.
• Closure is calming. Even small acts of organization or reflection help your body exhale.
• You don’t have to finish the year strong — you can finish it steady, aligned, and whole.

Gentle Reset Practices Mentioned

• The Closure Ritual: Acknowledge 3 things you completed and one thing you’re releasing.
• The One-Box Reset: Contain lingering clutter or tasks in a single box labeled “Pending – Review Later.”
• The Nervous System Reset: End your day with slow exhales, shoulder drops, and the reminder: “Rest is also progress.”

Resources & Links

• Explore Shannon’s digital reset tools and seasonal resources at simplifyspaceandsoul.com
• Connect on Instagram: @simplifyspaceandsoul
• Listen to more episodes of Beyond the Checklist wherever you get your podcasts