Now that 2024 is coming to a close, it is time to start thinking about how you want to live into 2025. Many people make a list of resolutions like lose weight, save money, eat healthy, spend time with family, or spend more time with God.
Here are the things I recommend you do this week to get yourself all set up for an amazing year.
Reflect
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s an important time to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished this year. Whatever goals you’ve achieved and hurdles you’ve overcome–big or small are all lessons to propel us forward.
Was there anything you wished you’d done this year that you haven’t? Are there any bad habits you need to break? Do you have any new dreams you want to see actualized? What are you grateful for? What are you anxious about?
Lessons
Make a list of your biggest lessons in 2024. What did you learn this year, both from the good things that happened, and from the bad? Life is a series of lessons. When we allow ourselves to truly reflect and trust God we will overcome even the hardest challenges. What can you use from this past year to propel yourself forward in 2025?
Focus on 1 Goal
There’s probably lots of things you’d LIKE to do in the coming year, but if you could only focus on ONE thing, what would it be? Are you striving to find balance? Do you want some time to have a little fun this year? Are you hoping to get a grip on food planning and ideas for your picky eaters? Do you want to grow your faith or your family’s faith? Do you simply want to know God better?
The best way to achieve something you really want is to focus on one thing. Do not spread yourself too thin and make too many goals. It is better to do one thing well than to try to do everything half baked. Not only will you find more peace, you will be more content and proud knowing you did your best.
Make a Plan
Once you decide the one thing you plan to work on this year you will want to make a plan. SMALL Daily Habits create the Biggest Change. I’m a big fan of a process I call “Brain Dump” Start by listing everything swimming around your head. It can be tasks, hopes and even worries. I spend way too much time worrying about all that I have to do and my Brain Dump really helps me to let the anxious thoughts and endless to do lists get out of my brain so I can live in the moment and focus on the important things.
Creative Solutions
Being creative and coming up with fun ideas to your hopes and dreams will help you keep your resolutions. For example, if you want to exercise more you could take up walking. As you walk, try new paths, collect decorative rocks and other finds, then use your finds to create a terrarium or other creative project.
If cooking more home made meals is your plan then try to involve your husband and kids more. Give them a day to pick a menu or go grocery shopping with you. Make a grocery list for each person (different items) and have a race to see who can get their list complete the quickest. Do a cooking competition where they all make the appetizer. Give silly prizes for most creative, fewest ingredients, and most unusual.
Maybe you want to spend more time with God. There are so many ways you can do this. I do have a book coming out around Easter time that walks you through the steps to get to know God. If you are interested in a signed copy, let me know via email auburnraven7@gmail.com and I will get you on the insider list. I am also donating copies to churches. If you have a church you would like me to contact, please email me the name and location of the church so I can reach out to the Pastor.
Small Steps for Big Changes
As you move forward into the new year, remember that small steps, taken over time, can lead to BIG things. Keep moving forward, even if things go off course. Just know that I’ll be in your corner, cheering you on every step of the way. Join my newsletter for tips, systems and other ways to help you achieve your goal of balancing faith, family and fun.
Happy New Year!