Happy New Year, everyone! The start of a new year brings with it the promise of fresh beginnings, exciting opportunities, and a chance to look forward with hope and intention. Every year on New Year’s Day (I am a day last sorry), I post a similar message, and you might be wondering why. Well, here’s the thing: we’re conditioned to view New Year’s as the time to reflect on the past and make grand resolutions for the future. But the truth is, the start of a new year doesn’t hold the monopoly on fresh starts—it can happen at any time. Still, as traditions go, it’s that time again, and whether we believe in it or not, the new year is finally here.
This time of year, often prompts us to reflect on the changes we want to make in our lives. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, set goals, and feel motivated to achieve them. But let’s be real: it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the pressure of making big changes, and along the way, we can lose sight of what truly matters to us. So, how do we navigate this? How do we make sure that we’re creating a life we love, not just chasing after goals that don’t feel aligned with who we are?
Let’s take a fresh approach to this new year. Instead of focusing on the typical “new year, new you” mantra, let’s aim to be the true version of you. The real you, the one who’s been waiting for the right time to shine. So, let’s get into it! This year let’s embrace the idea that New Year’s resolutions can be more than just fleeting promises. They can be the start of a journey toward a life you truly love. Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:
Define Your Legacy Life
The first step in crafting your best year ever is to define what your legacy life looks like. This isn’t about the life that others expect of you, but the one that fills you with excitement, joy, and meaning. It’s about living authentically, unapologetically, and with intention. So, ask yourself what your dream life looks like? Not the one that your parents, partner, or social media influencers think you should have, but the one that makes you feel alive inside.
For example, one of my clients, let’s call her Sarah, had always dreamed of opening a bakery. But she felt stuck in her corporate job, unsure of how to make the leap. She spent years suppressing that dream, thinking it was impossible. But after focusing on defining her legacy life, she took the first step—baking on weekends. By January, she had her first batch of cookies sold at a local farmers’ market. By July, she had launched her business. You don’t have to make big changes all at once; you just have to start taking action toward the life you envision.
What about you? What’s that dream you’ve been putting off? What if 2024 could be the year that you start living it?
Set Goals that Excite YOU!
Now, let’s talk about goals. So many of us set resolutions that are boring and easy to break. “I’ll exercise more,” or “I’ll lose weight.” These goals often feel like chores, and they lose their appeal over time. But when you set goals that excite you—goals that make you feel alive—that’s when the magic happens.
Instead of a vague resolution like “I’ll exercise more,” set a goal like “I’ll climb a mountain by May” or “I’ll complete a 5k run” (which means I will be training everyday… get it) You’re more likely to follow through when your goal gets your heart racing with excitement. And trust me, it doesn’t have to be a mountain (unless that’s your thing). Maybe your goal is to take your first solo trip abroad, start writing a book, or learn how to play an instrument. Whatever it is, make it exciting, challenging, and aligned with the version of you that’s ready to emerge.
By setting goals that push you toward growth and adventure, you’ll find that your enthusiasm will carry you through even the hardest days. The key here is to choose goals that light you up, not goals that feel like obligations. And remember, the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
Celebrate the Small Stuff!
One of the most important elements of crafting your legacy life is celebrating the small wins along the way. We often get caught up in the “big goal,” and forget to celebrate the progress we’ve made. But let me tell you, every step counts. So, when you take that first step, whether it’s signing up for that hiking group or taking your first nature walk—celebrate it!
I had a client who wanted to start a business but didn’t know where to begin. Her first step was simply researching the market and identifying potential competitors. It wasn’t much, but it was progress. By the end of the year, she had launched her business, and she’s thriving. None of that would have been possible without celebrating each small achievement. When we celebrate progress, we remind ourselves that we are capable, we are making strides, and we’re worth the effort.
Celebrating progress doesn’t always have to mean throwing a big party or buying something special. It can be as simple as taking a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come, acknowledging your growth, and being proud of yourself. So, every time you make progress toward your goal, no matter how small, celebrate it!
Engage in Self-Care
It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life, but this year, I challenge you to make self-care a priority. I’m not just talking about bubble baths and face masks (although those are great!). I’m talking about taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being so that you can show up as your best self.
This year, I’m focusing on letting go of things that don’t bring me joy. This doesn’t mean I’m cutting people out of my life just because they upset me (because communication is key!). Instead, I’m choosing to distance myself from negativity and toxicity, and I’m focusing my energy on building relationships with those who lift me up and support me in my journey.
Self-care also includes being mindful of what you put in your body. Even though I’ve been vegan for years, I’m choosing to be more mindful of my food choices. I’ll admit, I’ve had a few too many Oreos (oops), but this year, I’m making a conscious effort to choose nourishing foods that fuel my body and keep me feeling vibrant. Small changes, like swapping sugary snacks for nourishing, energizing meals, can make a big difference in how you feel day-to-day.
Also, don’t forget about moving your body. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym every day (though if that’s your thing, go for it!). I’m making it a point to move more regularly, whether that’s hiking in nature, trying out new VR workouts, Pickleball (if you know me you know!) or simply stretching when I feel stressed. Movement isn’t just good for your body, it’s great for your mind and soul, too!
Be Creative Everyday
Another key piece of the puzzle is creativity. Whether it’s writing, painting, playing music, or dancing, find a way to express yourself creatively every single day. For me, it’s writing and painting, and I’m challenging myself to share more of my work with the world. Creativity is a powerful outlet for self-expression, and it can help you process your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
But creativity is more than just about creating artists about approaching life with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and playfulness. What would it look like if you treated each day as an opportunity to be creative, to learn something new, and to grow?
Embrace Adventure
Adventure doesn’t always mean traveling to exotic places or doing something extreme. Sometimes, the biggest adventures happen when we step outside of our comfort zones. This year, I’m focusing on engaging by taking risks and saying yes to new experiences that scare me a little bit.
Taking risks doesn’t mean being reckless, it means pushing yourself to grow, to learn, and to expand your horizons. The more you take risks, the more you’ll discover about yourself, and the more you’ll be able to embrace the adventure of life.
Crafting Your Legacy Life
Listen this can’t be done overnight, but these ideas are a starting point. What do you do first? Well, here’s a good question” What is your word or motto for the year. What’s going to keep you focused and motivated? What will remind you to stay true to your path and embrace the journey ahead? My word for the year is
“Growth” with the motto: “Growth is the process of continuous improvement, learning, and evolving to reach your fullest potential.”
As you reflect on the year ahead, take a moment to ask yourself: What do you want your legacy life to look like? What steps can you take to make it happen? And how will you celebrate every moment of progress, no matter how small?
Remember, this year is all about YOU—crafting the life you’ve always imagined. Embrace the adventure, focus on self-care, and trust that every step you take is bringing you closer to the life you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s to a year of living your legacy life, full of excitement, adventure, and most importantly, happiness.
Cheers to a 2025 filled with choices made by you and not for you! Let’s make this year your best yet.
Peace, Love, and Happiness~
