Some goals happened, some didn't, and some don't even make sense anymore.
Do the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year still make sense for who you are today?
November has a way of signaling that it’s time to start the end-of-year mental countdown. I start looking back at everything I’ve accomplished, which is great, but I also start thinking about the things I said I would do and haven’t quite gotten around to yet. And if I’m being honest, those unfinished goals can bring on some guilt.
But this year, I thought, what if, instead of judging myself for what I haven’t done, I revisited my goals and decided whether they’re still important to me today?
An unfinished goal isn’t a failure. Sometimes life gets busy, priorities shift, and we change our minds. So before you carry every unfinished goal forward, here’s a question worth asking:
Do all the goals on your list still deserve your energy?
Let’s take a closer look at what to keep working toward, what can wait, and what you’re ready to let go of.
Keep It, Park It, or Let It Go
Take a look at your goals and decide which of these three categories each one falls into.
1. KEEP IT: This still matters to me.
You still care about this goal. It excites you, supports something you want for yourself, or moves you toward a future you’re working to build.
Maybe you wanted to learn a new skill, reconnect with a creative hobby, or take the first step toward a career change. If it still matters, you don't have to accomplish the whole thing before December 31.
Ask yourself: What's one realistic step I can take this month?
That might mean researching a course, signing up for a class, or setting aside an hour to work on an idea.
2. PARK IT: I still want this, but not right now.
You still care about this goal, but you don't have the time or energy to focus on it right now.
Instead of repeatedly carrying it from one to-do list to the next, give it a proper pause. Decide when you'd like to revisit it, whether that's January, the spring, or another time that makes sense for you.
Putting something on hold isn't giving up - it’s protecting your bandwidth so you can focus on what matters.
3. LET IT GO: I don't think I want this anymore.
This one requires some honesty.
Sometimes we hold on to goals simply because we've already invested time in them. Maybe we want to prove something to others. And sometimes the goal was never really ours to begin with.
Maybe you thought you should pursue a particular career path or reach a milestone by a certain age. Maybe the version of you who set that goal wanted something different from what you want today.
Ask yourself: If I hadn't already committed to this goal, would I choose it today?
If the answer is no, you can let it go.
Try This
Set aside 15 minutes and choose one or two unfinished goals that have been taking up space in your mind.
Ask yourself three questions:
Do I still want this?
Do I have the capacity to pursue it right now?
What would I choose if I wasn’t worried about disappointing anyone, including myself?
Then make a decision: keep it, park it, or let it go.
As the year winds down, remember that the goals you set in January were based on what you knew, wanted, and could imagine at the time. You're allowed to change your mind and decide what's right for you today.
Check out these events happening across Durham this month - maybe you’ll find your next excuse to gather.
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11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Whitby Public Library - Main Library, 405 Dundas Street West, Whitby, ON
FREE
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6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Oshawa Public Libraries, Jess Hann Branch, 199 Wentworth Street W., Oshawa, ON
FREE
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2026 Holiday Pop-up Market
Sunday, December 6, 2026
12:00 PM 7:00 PM
Durham Convention Centre
630 Beck Crescent Ajax, ON, L1Z 1V6 Canada (map)
Get your holiday shopping done all in one place at our Holiday Pop-Up Market! With over 60 local vendors, this is your chance to find unique gifts, seasonal must-haves, and one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you're checking off your gift list or just getting started, this market makes holiday shopping easy and enjoyable!
Bring the whole family along and make a day of it! Enjoy great music, tasty food vendors, a photo booth, face painting, and a fun kids’ zone to keep little ones entertained while you shop. It’s festive, convenient, and full of holiday cheer… everything you need to kick off the season right.
P.S. This is our biggest event of the year and it always fills up fast. Don’t miss it!
Disclaimer: By attending this event, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed. The images and footage may be used for promotional and marketing purposes by Black Queens of Durham Region. If you have any concerns, please speak with an event organizer on-site.
GET YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE
written by Nickisha RASHID