Doulas: How to Reflect, Celebrate, and Strategically Plan for 2025

As the year winds down, it’s so easy to get caught up in all of the “end-of-year strategy” content that is clogging the internet and telling you to add a million more things to your to-do lists at the busiest time of year.

For doulas—who often juggle client care, family life, and the holiday hustle—this can feel overwhelming.

Ugh.

I’m so over that.

Instead of rushing to set new goals or wallowing in feeling like I didn’t do “enough” this year, I prefer to take some time (usually with a cup of tea by my Christmas tree) to pause, reflect, and celebrate my year with intention and gratitude.

Here are practical steps you can take to close out this year and prepare for 2025:

1. Reflect on Your Year with Gratitude

Start by getting into a mindset of gratitude and celebration. It’s human nature to focus on what didn’t get done, but often, we forget just how much there is to celebrate!

Scroll Through Your Photos: Grab your favorite beverage, and look back through your phone’s photos starting from January. Revisit the clients you worked with, conferences you attended, and moments you forgot but are worth celebrating.
Celebrate Wins—Big or Small: Whether you supported one client or fifty, completed a training, or grew your network, take time to recognize those accomplishments.

Pro Tip: Going through photos can also help you track forgotten mileage (for tax deductions!) or remind you of networking opportunities you can build on next year.

2. Reconnect with Clients

Your clients are the heart of your business. Now is the perfect time to remind them how much you value their trust and connection.

Send Holiday Cards: Handwrite a note to families you’ve supported this year (or even the past few years!). This simple, heartfelt gesture helps them remember the impact you had—and could lead to future referrals.
Send them a text with a photo of your time together: As you scroll through your photos, send a text to clients about how you are thinking of them and remembering fondly your time working together in 2024.
Track Referral Sources: Review how clients found you this year. Whether through Google, another doula, or social media, double down on what’s working and consider letting go of what isn’t.

3. Reconnect with COLLEAGUES
Now is also the perfect time to remind your favorite colleagues how much you value their trust and connection.
- Send Holiday Cards: Handwrite a note to your colleagues that you’ve met, worked with, received referrals from, etc. etc. Again, this helps them remember to remember to refer clients your way.
- Send them a text with a photo of your time together: As you scroll through your photos, send a text to any colleagues you have a picture with about how you are thinking of them and remembering fondly your time working together in 2024.

4. Analyze and Celebrate Your Growth

When you’re consistently showing up on social media, emails, and other platforms, it’s hard to see progress day-to-day. Take a moment to look back:

Track Your Audience Numbers: How many Instagram followers, Facebook fans, or email subscribers did you gain this year? You’ll likely be surprised by the growth.
Review Income and Investments: Did you earn more this year? Have you reinvested in yourself and your business? Consider tools, memberships, or trainings that will help you continue growing in 2025.

5. Prepare for Taxes—And Reinvest Wisely

End-of-year planning is about working smarter, not harder.

Mileage and Deductions: Track all your mileage for prenatal visits, births, and business errands—it adds up! Don’t forget parking, tolls, or flights for doula-related events.
Education and Advertising: Continuing education, websites, Canva subscriptions, and even memberships (like My Doula Village) are tax-deductible investments. Reinvesting in your business now can reduce your tax burden.
Upgrade your website: Your website should be the investment in your business that has the biggest ROI. Meaning - the money you spend on your website should be coming back to you tenfold in terms of contracts. Your website should be like an employee that is sending you new clients. If your current website is not doing that, consider joining My Doula Village (which includes a personalized website audit by The Doula Darcy) to learn about SEO or getting one of my Doula Website Templates. Both options are great investments to make in 2024 that will pay off big time in 2025.

6. Plan for 2025—But Keep It Fun

Instead of piling on goals and pressure, think about what would make next year fulfilling for you.

What Worked This Year? Reflect on your most meaningful moments and successes.
What’s Next? Plan trips, trainings, or retreats that align with your goals. For example, join the Birthworker Retreat in Clearwater, FL this January to start your year off strong! Use code BIZBESTIE25 to save!

Remember: Taking time to reflect on your year, express gratitude, and celebrate your wins sets the stage for abundance and success in 2025. Your work as a doula is impactful and worth celebrating!

Here’s to a fulfilling, prosperous, and joyful new year.

Thank you for being part of this community—and don’t forget to celebrate how far you’ve come!