Every year, people sit down to write resolutions and plan financial goals. Some achieve them; others forget them entirely. Some make plans that life later disrupts, while others treat their resolutions as optional and simply carry them into the next year. This yearly ritual of reflection reminds us of an important truth: intentions alone do not define the year. Action does. You can have everything written down, but without consistent effort, nothing truly changes.
As December draws to a close, reflection tends to deepen. People begin to look back honestly, recognizing the months where progress was made, where plans fell apart, and where they simply did not have the mental or financial capacity to keep going. This kind of honest review is necessary. Without it, it becomes difficult to grow.
For many, 2025 was a difficult year financially. Inflation, rising costs, and constant pressure influenced decisions in ways that were often unpredictable. One moment prices felt manageable, and the next they had increased. Food, transportation, rent, and daily living expenses all rose, sometimes at the same time. In the middle of this reality, some people managed to save modestly, plan more carefully, or adjust their spending habits. Others focused entirely on survival, choosing stability over financial goals. Both experiences are valid. Being “better off” does not have a single definition, because success looks different depending on personal circumstances.
This period of reflection should not be treated casually. It is a time to ask difficult but necessary questions. What did you commit to at the beginning of the year? Did you make progress, even if it was slow? Or did you write things down and never take another look at it?
It is equally important to acknowledge small wins. Paying off a lingering debt, saving consistently for something you planned, or resisting unnecessary spending may feel minor compared to larger goals, but they matter. These actions are evidence of discipline and growth, even when progress feels slow.
For many Nigerians, being better off this year may simply mean staying afloat in a challenging economy. In times like these, staying afloat is not failure. It reflects resilience and adaptability in the face of constant change. Adjusting to difficult conditions is not something to dismiss, especially when those conditions are beyond individual control.
As you reflect, avoid comparing your journey to someone else’s. Everyone’s starting point, responsibilities, income level, and challenges are different. The only fair comparison is who you were a year ago versus who you are now.
When you ask yourself whether you are better off than last year, do not stop at the answer. Ask what you want to do differently in the year ahead. What habits need to change? What plans need structure instead of intention alone? Consistency, discipline, and clarity are what turn plans into measurable progress.
If you realize you are not where you hoped to be, that realization is still valuable. Self-awareness brings clarity, and clarity provides direction. Financial progress is rarely linear. Expenses increase; emergencies arise. A difficult year does not equal failure.
So, take a moment to look back honestly, without judgment. Whether your answer is yes, no, or not yet, what matters is how you use that awareness moving forward.
The year ahead will not wait, but preparation makes a difference. The choices you make now will shape how confidently you answer this same question next year. Start where you are, take deliberate steps, and allow progress to meet you there.
