End of the Year Reflections: Between Who We Were and Who We Are Becoming

It is the end of the year—a quiet pause between what has passed and what is still possible. All of us have grown, in one way or another. Some areas have flourished; others still ask for patience and work. Some wrote goals with good intention but did not take action. Others took small, consistent steps forward. Wherever you are right now, one thing remains essential: begin each day with hope and gratitude for being given another chance.

This season always takes my mind back to school days—the time of year that brought the purest joy. Trips, laughter, long days under the sun, and swimming in the sea until our skin wrinkled and our minds felt free. Among those memories, one stands out clearly: Kuda Bandos. Many of you will remember it—the tiny picnic island near Malé where families, classmates, and friends gathered.

I still remember jumping off the jetty, racing each other to reach the deep rock, competing not for medals but for laughter and pride. Time slowed in those moments. We were present without knowing the word mindfulness. Today, that same island has transformed—now known as Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort. Development has changed the landscape, but the memory remains untouched.

The Psychology of Nostalgia and Growth

Psychologically, nostalgia is not just sentiment—it is grounding. Research shows that recalling positive memories increases emotional warmth, strengthens identity, and restores a sense of meaning. When life feels heavy or uncertain, the mind naturally returns to moments when we felt free, safe, and connected. Those memories remind us that joy is not something we imagine—it is something we have already lived, and therefore can experience again in new forms.

Yet nostalgia is most powerful when it does not trap us in the past but teaches us something about the present. As children, we acted first and thought later. We jumped into the sea without overanalysing depth or outcome. As adults, the mind becomes cautious—sometimes too cautious. Fear of failure, judgment, or uncertainty often stops action before it begins.

Mindset, Goals, and the Fear of Starting

This is where goal setting often breaks down. Many people write goals at the end of the year, not because they lack ambition, but because the mind associates goals with pressure, perfection, and comparison. From a psychological perspective, the brain avoids goals that feel overwhelming or threaten self-worth.

A healthier mindset reframes goals as direction, not judgment. Progress is not built through grand declarations but through small, consistent actions. The mind responds better to movement than to motivation. Action creates clarity; clarity strengthens confidence.

Instead of asking:

• “Did I achieve all my goals?”

A more conscious question is:

• “Did I take one honest step forward?”

That single step matters more than the entire list left untouched.

Returning to Hope—Like We Once Did

When I think of Kuda Bandos, I do not remember planning the jump. I remember trusting the water. Life now asks us to trust again—but with awareness. Growth does not mean losing joy; it means learning how to carry responsibility without losing curiosity.

As this year ends, allow yourself grace. Reflect without punishment. Hope is not naive—it is a disciplined choice. Just like those childhood days, we may not control the tides, but we can still choose to step into the water. Wherever you are in life today, begin again. Not with pressure—but with intention