How to Use the Wheel of Life for a Gentle New Year Reset

Dec 26

Published February 10, 2017; Updated December 2025

At the beginning of a new year, I always sit down and reflect on how well I am doing as one year closes and another begins. I sit and journal through the year, looking at what has gone well and where I want to improve. It is less about resolutions and more about where I see myself needing to shift priorities. Each year brings new goals, and I have found that one of the best ways to truly evaluate this is by using the wheel of life tool.

It is a simple worksheet designed to help you gently reflect on different areas of your life and see where you truly need to dedicate more intention and care. This can be especially helpful for mothers who are balancing, let’s face it, one too many things.

How to Use the Wheel of Life

Before we dive into how to do this, note, that this is not about fixing anything, or creating some long to do list that you will never actually get to. It is about awareness and compassion for yourself. So you can choose small meaningful steps forward in seeing the changes you want to see.

This is not about fixing everything or creating a long to-do list. It’s about awareness, compassion, and choosing small, meaningful steps forward.

Step 1: Fill in the Wheel

The wheel is divided into different life areas (such as health, home, relationships, personal growth, etc.).

For each category, ask yourself:
“How fulfilled or supported do I feel in this area right now?”

Rate each area on a scale from 1–5, with:

1 being very depleted or neglected
5 being very fulfilled and supportive

Shade in the wheel up to the number you chose for each category. Don’t overthink it—go with your first, honest response.

Step 2: Observe Without Judgment

Once your wheel is filled in, take a moment to simply look at it.

Which areas feel full or supportive?
Which areas feel a little empty or wobbly?
Does anything surprise you?

There is no right or wrong in this activity. This is just a snapshot of your life right now, in this season.

Step 3: Reflect With Curiosity

Choose one or two areas that stand out to you and journal on the following questions:

Why do I think this area feels the way it does right now?
What has been draining me here?
What has been supporting me here?
What do I need more of in this area?

You don’t need to address every category. Less is more.

Step 4: Set Gentle Intentions

Instead of big goals, focus on small, realistic shifts.

Ask yourself:

What is one tiny change that could support this area?
What feels doable in this season of motherhood?
What can I release or simplify?

Your intention might be something as small as:

asking for help
creating a short routine
letting go of unrealistic expectations
making space for rest

Step 5: Don’t Forget Your Freebie

Download the full packet below to fill in your own wheel of life worksheet and continue to release the mental clutter and reconnect to what actually matters to you in this New Year!

You can return to this worksheet and prompts throughout the year! I love doing this at the beginning of the year and then in the summer as a mid-year check in to see how things are progressing and what might need to shift for the next six months of the year!