Small Changes for 2025
Instead of overhauling everything (or in case your resolution is already sideways)
It seems that in 2025, the cool thing on the internet is to hate on New Year’s Resolutions, and I have to tell you, it makes me a little sad.
I’m a planner-girl. I like stationery, structure, celebrating holidays, and living into the seasons (as much as is possible in Northern California). So said another way: a little basic. But along with that comes a deep love of New Year’s Resolutions.
And I understand why it’s en vogue to hate on New Year’s Resolutions - they’re standards we are setting for ourselves, which we often fall short of.
Who wants to feel worse about themselves?
BUT, is there anything like the new year energy? The looking at your calendar and dreaming up: what could spring look like? where you want to go this summer? what you want to learn along the way? who do you want to be at this time next year?
I don’t want to give up that hope and excitement that comes with the new year.
So what if instead of aiming for the moon and expecting the moon, we shoot for the moon, and expect to land among the stars? What if starting a new year means new energy and a recalibrating around who we are and who we hope to be, instead of perfecting every imperfect habit?
Here are a few examples from my own life to get you dreaming up your own:
In 2025, I hope to be better at planning my weeks…
In the first days of November, my husband asked me several questions about the week of Thanksgiving in our weekly business meeting. I remember being shocked - we had a trip to NY, me starting my own business, and a lot of life to live between the day he asked and the week of Thanksgiving. How was he thinking about a tiny detail of our day with that much notice?
But he said something that impacted me - that he was trying to create a week that he would be excited to live. And rarely could that happen a few days out. So this year, one of my goals is to plan a few weeks out. For my kids, I find this easier… but for me? It feels indulgent in a good way to ask myself what a fun February looks like now.
This week, I’m looking at the calendar and noodling a Galentine’s Party. After Christmas, I was thinking through January book club and cookbook club… indoor, fun activities that require minimal planning beyond the initial text reserving the date :)
Spontaneity can be a beautiful thing, but I, like many people, find myself hermit-ing a bit each winter. And sometimes, it can take asking what good would look like next month to have a good month.
Oftentimes, I’ve found asking “what would I look forward to?” starts with a necessary “I don’t know”, but then the ideas get rolling… think about annual traditions, or fun parts of this time of year. Who could you celebrate?
A great place to start: pay attention to the events and activities you get jealous of when you see other people (on the internet) doing.
My 2025 goal is to plan ahead, and give myself the space and time to plan a life that feels good.
In 2025, I hope to have better follow through with my kids…
When I was a mom of 1 and 2 kids, there was enough of me to go around. I felt like I could be clear, intervene when necessary, and generally, parent in the way that I wanted to and considered ideal. In 2023, after the birth of my 3rd, I did a lot of work around adjusting my expectations when it came to parenthood, and the behavioral expectations I had of my kids.
But, when I think about my life now, and the way I’d like to feel at the end of 2025, I’d really like to have clearer boundaries with my kids and more consistent follow through.
When I’m well-rested, it’s easy for me to embrace them popping out of their rooms for snuggles at night, but when I’m exhausted and feel like it’s “my time” of the day, it’s easy to snap. Which is, of course, confusing for them. Why is it fun and silly some days, and makes mom mad other days?
When I allow them to snack all the time, on what they ask for, it avoids big tantrums in the moment. But, it costs me their nutrition, which impacts their behavior. Being proactive about food means communicating with everyone that cares for them, planning ahead, and (frankly) spending more money. It also means there will be a few weeks of “nos” to pouches and bars, when they are used to “yeses”, and managing the tantrums that follow.
My goal in 2025 is to be clearer in my communication with them, and consistent in my execution of boundaries that help our family thrive.
So, whether you are thriving in your new-you energy, or things have gotten off to a rocky start (I know those of us in California have had a long week <3), I want to invite you along in this idea that we can name what we want, and where we are headed, without the shame of “failing” the areas that don’t turn out exactly how we hope. Your goal is to land among the stars :)
Photo is of my very much in-progress office, where I’m very much among the stars (for now!)
P.s. I was very sick the last month or so, I’m hoping I’ve turned the corner and will be writing more consistently now!