My 2025 Carry-on
In my last post, I dissected all the things I absolutely, under no circumstances, plan to carry into the new year. You know, the usual suspects: bad habits, self-sabotaging tendencies, and that extra layer of guilt for not being perfect. Making the same mistakes over and over is the quickest way to hit the replay button on frustration, and frankly, I’m too old for that nonsense.
But now that I’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to spotlight the gems worth keeping—the habits, practices, and mindsets that have turned my life around. Reflecting on the past year, I’m genuinely proud of the progress I’ve made. I wasn’t perfect—and honestly, who is?—but I learned, grew, and emerged as a stronger, healthier version of myself. Turns out, growth isn’t just for houseplants (and in my case of having a black thumb... that's a very good thing).
Here’s what I’m taking with me into 2025:
1. A Focus on Gut Health
Ah, gut health—the underappreciated VIP of overall wellness. This past year, I dove headfirst into the world of probiotics, prebiotics, CIBO treatment, and everything in between. It wasn’t glamorous (just trust me on this one.), but the payoff was amazing.
How come? Ahem:
A well-functioning gut is basically the MAIN role in hormone regulation by influencing how hormones (ie: estrogen, cortisol, and serotonin are metabolized and balanced). When the gut is healthy, it supports the breakdown of excess hormones, which stabilizes mood swings, and even improves symptoms tied to menstrual cycles or menopause. You're welcome.
Here’s what I've noticed a drastic improvement in:
Hormone Balance: My body finally got the memo that wild mood swings are not, in fact, a personality trait. Allow be to explain. Ahem:
Metabolism: Let’s just say my body has rediscovered its inner furnace.
Digestion: No more post-dinner regrets or playing the “What’s causing this bloating?” guessing game.
Emotional Balance: Turns out, a happy gut really does equal a happy mind. Who knew?
Focus: Goodbye brain fog, hello clarity. I’m not saying I’ve become a machine, but let’s just say my to-do list is finally scared of me. Take that!
Energy: Consistent energy levels? Revolutionary. I’m no longer reaching for my third cup of coffee by noon.
This year, I’m fully committing to the gut-friendly practices that have proven their worth—and, who knows, I might even muster the courage to tackle that kombucha recipe I’ve had bookmarked for months. (Keyword: might.)
2. Going Slow
This one’s new, but wow, has it been life-changing. For most of the year, I was sprinting through my days with a “go-go-go” mentality that…surprise!, left me exhausted. Over the last few months, I hit the brakes, and so much has changed.
By intentionally embracing a slower pace, I unlocked:
Less Urgency, More Sanity: Reclaiming a “one step at a time” mindset drastically improved my mental health. It’s amazing how much smoother life feels when you’re not treating every task like a five-alarm fire.
Better Work, Better Mood: Taking breaks between work projects became my secret weapon against burnout. It’s like giving your brain a reset button.
Gratitude over Comparison: This was a tough one. I’ve spent years playing “keep up with the Joneses,” and it’s exhausting. But now, I’m learning to appreciate my own story for what it is—unique, messy, and mine. Turns out, gratitude is the antidote to envy.
Taking the Scenic Route Means:
Morning Self-Care: Waking up earlier to read, sit in the quiet, or listen to soft music became my favorite ritual. Who knew mornings could be peaceful and not just a race to get ready?
Strategic Breaks: Between work tasks, I gave myself permission to step away, breathe, and refocus. The result? More creativity and fewer “Why did I open this email again?” moments.
Contentment as a Choice: I stopped chasing what’s trendy and leaned into what truly aligns with me. Do I need the latest gadget, or can I just…not? Spoiler: I can not.
3. Self-Care in General
I know, I know—“self-care” has become such a buzzword it’s almost lost its meaning. But this year, I’ve rediscovered what self-care actually looks like for me.
Here’s what made the cut and will be a repeat cast in 2025:
Daily Outdoor Time: Fresh air and sunshine? Revolutionary. Even just 10 minutes outside has been enough to clear my head.
15 Minutes of Reading: Every day, no excuses. It’s a small investment in my mental health that pays huge dividends.
Exercise: Moving my body daily—whether it’s a workout, yoga, or just a walk—has kept me grounded and energized.
Weekly Therapy: Game. Changer. Having a safe space to process everything has been invaluable.
Saying “No” is Self-Care Too
This was a tough lesson, but it’s one I’ll never forget: Protecting my time and energy is just as important as any other form of self-care. This meant:
Saying “no” to toxic people and draining relationships.
Saying “no” to work projects when I knew my plate was already full.
Saying “no” to overspending on things that don’t actually bring me joy (looking at you, Amazon shopping cart).
And you know what? Every “no” I said opened up space for a better “yes.”
So there you have it—the three pillars of my 2025 game plan. They’re not flashy, but they’re real, sustainable, and deeply meaningful to me. If 2024 was about figuring out what works, 2025 is about doubling down on those wins.
Cheers to another year brimming with growth, gratitude, and gut health! As the New Year approaches, what practices or lessons are you packing for the journey ahead? What shifts in 2024 nudged you closer to the person you aspire to become? If nothing stands out, don’t sweat it—self-reflection is a challenge in itself and often reveals more than we expect. Remember, you’re entirely capable of building better habits. Stay tuned for my next post, where we’ll dive into just how to make that happen.
You’re Doing Great,
Samantha
