2025: Act the Way you Want to Be.
The clock ticks closer to midnight, and the world begins its annual symphony of resolutions. "New year, new me!" they shout! ::confetti:: Scribbling lists of goals and ambitions, only to watch them gather dust before February ends. Womp, womp.
Let me be the first to gently suggest something radical: what if we didn’t?
Instead of frantically trying to overhaul our lives, what if we asked ourselves a simpler, more profound question: Who do I want to be? And then… acted like it.
Do you want to be strong? Then ask yourself: what does a strong person do? They show up, even when it’s hard. They set boundaries, lift weights—literal or metaphorical—and prioritize their health. So, do that. Do you want to be content? What do content people do? They practice gratitude, savor small joys, and let go of the need for constant comparison. Do you want to be financially free? Find out what financially free people do: they budget, save, invest, and make intentional decisions. Then, start doing those things.
It’s not about waiting for a magical transformation or a perfect moment. It’s about taking action—consistent, realistic, sometimes uncomfortable action—and becoming the person you aspire to be.
Love Is Action
Here’s what I’ve learned: love is action. If you want to love your life, love who you are, and love where you’re headed, you need to act. Sure, it’s easier said than done. Believe me, I know. But real change requires getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. It means stepping out of your routines and into a space where growth happens—often awkwardly, sometimes painfully, but it will always end beautifully.
My journey has been anything but smooth. I’ve spent 37 years hurtling through life at plaid speed (IYKYK), rarely stopping to catch my breath. I’ve been fueled by self-induced stress, anxiety, and habits that didn’t serve me. Time flew by, and with it went moments I can never get back. But in 2024, I made a commitment to change. I dove headfirst into understanding how my mind and body work so I could rebuild from the inside out. It was messy. I stumbled more times than I can count. But for the first time, I can say this: I am happier with myself than I’ve ever been.
No, I don’t weigh 120 pounds or fit into my size-2 wedding dress. (And let’s be honest, I’d rather not relive the days of Spanx-induced suffocation. I’m all set, thanks.) But that’s not who I want to be. It’s not about appearances anymore. And if you knew me—a self-proclaimed lover of all things aesthetic—you’d know what a monumental shift that is.
Slowing Down to Speed Up
Now that I have the knowledge I need to care for my mind and body, my focus for 2025 is simple: purposeful simplification. This is the year I intend to slow down and be present. I’m choosing to embrace an unhurried pace, to savor each season of life with confidence and calm. No rushing to arbitrary finish lines. No more tying my happiness to the next achievement or milestone or next Amazon purchase (a tough one.).
Instead, I want to practice contentment with where I am right now. I want to build a joyful, simplified life. This doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned ambition or stopped striving. Not at all. It just means I’m no longer willing to sacrifice the journey for the destination. Because happiness isn’t something that magically appears at the top of the mountain; it’s found in the climb. Thank you, Miley.
The Wisdom of a Child
My daughter often says, “One day, when I get bigger, I can… drive/have a phone/climb a fence.” And every time, it breaks my heart into a bagillion pieces. She has no idea that right now is all we truly have. And yet, isn’t that how so many of us live our lives? “One day, when I make X dollars… when I buy Y house… when I lose Z pounds…” The list is endless, and so is the waiting.
For years, I fell into that trap. I’d postpone joy, believing it would arrive as soon as I achieved the next big goal. But here’s the thing: by constantly chasing “one day,” I lost sight of the beauty in this day.
Right now, as I write this, the sun is setting, casting elegant patterns of light through my window. There’s a slight breeze outside, its rhythm creating a symphony of crackling leaves against the sound of my keyboard taps. In the past, I might have missed this moment entirely, caught up in thoughts of how much I dislike early winter nights or how much there is still to do before I can lay my head down to sleep. But today, I’m choosing to see the beauty in the ordinary. And that, my friend, is who I want to be.
Small Moments, Big Impact
In 2025, I want to live for the small moments. I want to savor the way my tea warms my hands on a chilly morning, the giggle of my daughter as she tries to tickle me, and the quiet stillness of a house before everyone wakes up. I want to be someone who finds joy even in chaos—because let’s be real, marriage, toddlers, work, and life will always bring a fair share of it.
This doesn’t mean life will suddenly become perfect. Far from it. But it does mean I’ll show up for myself in ways I never have before. I’ll take care of my mental and physical health. I’ll set boundaries, say no when I need to, and protect my energy. And most importantly, I’ll stop rushing through life, desperate to reach the next moment, and instead learn to be in this one.
An Invitation to You
So, my very dear reader, who do you want to be in 2025? What would it look like to live as that person? Whatever your answer, I hope you take time to reflect on what you’re leaving behind in 2024, what you’re bringing into the new year, and how you can find joy in the days to come.
Even if 2024 wasn’t your best year—and let’s be honest, sometimes life throws us 9763 curveballs—you’ve made it through. And that’s worth celebrating.
As you step into 2025, remember this: you are doing great. Every day you show up, you’re making progress. And whoever you decide to be, I’m cheering for you every step of the way.
Here’s to a year of simplicity, presence, and joy.
You’re Doing Great,
Samantha
