As we embark on a new year, let's explore the power of embracing a fresh start, resetting our intentions, releasing what no longer serves us, and refocusing on the vibrant possibilities that lie ahead.
Can you believe it's already a new year? Today marks the first Monday of 2025. As we dive into this year, let's take a moment to think about whatever we're feeling right now. Maybe you're excited about the new opportunities ahead, or perhaps you're feeling frustrated with where you are after last year's challenges. Both feelings, and the emotions that come with them, are completely normal. What's important is giving yourself the chance to figure out where you're starting from and making a plan to move efficiently forward. That said, I wanted to share my own honest self-assessment and how I'm choosing to kick off the year, hoping it might help you as you navigate through 2025.
#1 Release: Embrace the Surrender
#3 Refocus: Create Your Path Forward
Release
As a coach, I've often helped people navigate the holiday blues, and I get that while the holidays can be joyful and fun, there's also a side of sadness and melancholy that some folks go through for various reasons. For some, it's the loss of loved ones; for others, it's just loneliness or disappointments. And for many, it's as simple as feeling overwhelmed by the end of the year and the pressure of not having achieved everything you planned.
Although I'm aware that emotions can sometimes be overwhelming, I didn't expect it to happen to me. This was the first year I experienced it so intensely. On Christmas Eve, as I was preparing gifts, an unexpected wave of emotion struck me, like a ton of bricks. It was inescapable—so powerful that it felt as if I was pinned to the floor, buried under the weight of emotion. While wrapping gifts, I suddenly felt trapped, with no place to escape or hide. All I could do was let the tears fall. For me, it was mainly about the challenges I faced in 2024, navigating life post-divorce, and the sadness of all the associated losses.
It was kind of surprising because just a few days before, I had decided to take a little solo trip. I’d been hearing amazing things about these getaway cabins—small, cozy, with quaint vibes where you can disconnect from the craziness of life and connect with yourself and nature. So, I thought it would be a nice gift to myself and a lovely way to close out the year. It was a great way for me to reflect and be in the moment. My intention was to give myself this time so I could wrap up the year on a high note and start the new one feeling renewed. I had an wonderful time, journaling of course, and really enjoying the peace of solitude, no schedule, nowhere to be, no kids needing anything from me. I could just be and it felt amazing. I left feeling ready to come back and refreshed, but what I didn't realize was that while I opened myself up to reflect, I didn’t give myself enough time to really process everything. So when I got back home on Christmas Eve, all those feelings seemed to bubble up, and out came the emotions of everything I had been holding in.
Releasing is a key part of how we heal and start fresh. But let's be honest, most of us try to dodge it. Why? Because it means we have to:
feel the emotion,
embrace the heartbreak,
face the disappoint,
deal with the fear.
Releasing means letting go, and letting go involves surrendering, which can be quite frightening. Surrendering requires giving up some control, and truthfully, I really dislike not having control. Therefore, I rush through that process like a cheetah on roller skates, hoping that by doing it quickly, I can regain that control.
Sometimes that works, if I am being honest, but sometimes we run right into the thing we've been running from. So, what I am learning is that rather than running from it, embrace it. Give yourself the proper time to release. We must release any negativity, self-doubt, or old habits that hold us back. Holding onto these burdens can weigh us down and stifle our progress. So, what is it that you need to release before jumping into 2025?
As you take into consideration what you need to release before stepping into the new year, I would also offer these three action steps:
Practice Gratitude: Start a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positives in your life. This practice can help shift your mindset from what’s lacking to what’s abundant.
Declutter Your Space: Tidy up your physical environment. A clutter-free space can lead to a clear mind, making it easier to focus on what truly matters.
Forgive Yourself and Others: Holding onto grudges or past mistakes can hinder your growth. Take the time to forgive yourself and others, freeing you to move forward with a lighter heart
I believe it's crucial to acknowledge that the process of letting go should happen regularly, and certainly more often than just annually. This might be a necessary pause you take on your journey, and each time you might discover something new to release, or perhaps you revisit the same issue, but find you can let go of more each time until you are ultimately free.
Reset
Once you've taken the time you need to release, we can really dive into our reset. I've mentioned this before, but remember how hitting ctrl-alt-del used to be the go-to move for resetting a frozen or glitchy computer? It was almost guaranteed to fix whatever was causing trouble. I often wish I had that same quick fix for myself—a simple button press and, boom, fresh start activated.
It's not quite as simple for humans; however, it is as simple as a choice. Every day we are given a choice and a chance. Every day we are given the ability to embrace a fresh new start. We don't have to wait until the new year to hit reset, we don't have to wait until the next opportunity, and we don't have to get permission. However, I recognize that January is always a great time to consider a proper reset. As a basic place to start a reset, I always ask 3 fundamental questions:
Where are you now and where do you want to be?
What do you need in order to achieve those goals?
Who do you need around you to support you in successfully accomplishing these goals?
So, how will you choose to win your day? It all starts with our mindset. I was just speaking with a few friends the other day and posed this question: Do we believe that anyone is living a fairy-tale story or is everyone living out their own version of drama and tragedy? I am curious about your answer before I tell you what we all kind of settled on. Take a moment to reflect.
Some gave the answer, "drama or tragedy because fairy tales aren't real," another answer was then posed, "but don't all fairy-tales have some sort of drama or tragedy within the story? That's what makes the endings so good." Another person said, "I think we all live a combination of any of these depending on the part of the journey we are in."
And then one final thought was posed, "isn't it all just a choice?" Hmmm, I love this thought so much because this simple inquiry ignited a profound conversation about the nature of perspective. At its core, life is indeed a tapestry woven from the choices we make. It then became an in-depth conversation about perspective. And that's truly it, right? The story that we are actively creating is all about choices. Each fresh start, every winding path we traverse, and the narrative we are crafting is fundamentally shaped by our decisions. You get to choose. While we may not have control over the challenges that come our way or the battles we are forced to confront, we do have the agency to determine our resilience and the essence of the fighters we aspire to be. In essence, it is our choices that define not only our journeys, but also the very fabric of our existence.
As you reflect on your reset and the choices you are making, consider this: What narrative are you choosing to write for yourself today? Are you embracing the challenges as part of your unique story, or are you allowing the drama to overshadow the fairy-tale moments? Your mindset shapes your reality. So, ask yourself:
What challenges can I transform into opportunities today?
How can I find the magic in my daily routine?
What steps can I take to shift my perspective from tragedy to triumph?
Remember, every great story has its ups and downs. It’s how you choose to navigate those moments that defines your journey. Embrace your story and make it a masterpiece. Using these three actions as a place to begin your reset:
Set Clear Intentions: Write down your goals for the year. Whether it's personal growth, career aspirations, or health objectives, having clear intentions helps direct your energy.
Create a Morning Routine: Establish a daily routine that sets a positive tone for your day. This could include meditation, exercise, or journaling to help ground yourself.
Limit Distractions: Identify what pulls your focus away from your goals, whether it’s social media, negative influences, or clutter in your environment. Taking steps to minimize these distractions can help you regain control
Refocus
Now that you've successfully released and reset, you may find that your mind is clear and unencumbered by the clutter that once occupied your thoughts. This newfound clarity is a powerful tool, enabling you to refocus your energy and intentions in a more directed manner.
A proper reset is not merely a momentary pause; it serves as a profound opportunity for introspection and self-discovery. It helps you identify where you've been distracted, whether by external influences, overwhelming responsibilities, or internal doubts, and allows you to pinpoint which specific areas of your life require your time and attention to effectively align with your personal and professional goals.
By recognizing these distractions, you can take proactive steps to eliminate them, creating a more conducive environment for growth and productivity. As you embark on this journey of refocusing, it's essential to channel all that new, beautiful energy into your goals and aspirations. This energy, which has been revitalized through your reset, can now be directed towards actionable steps that will lead you closer to your dreams. Consider setting clear, measurable objectives that resonate with your passions and values; this will not only provide you with a roadmap but also keep you motivated and engaged.
Three ways to begin to build that roadmap and establish tunnel vision are:
Break Goals into Manageable Steps: Instead of feeling overwhelmed by your goals, break them down into smaller, achievable tasks. Celebrate each small victory along the way to keep your motivation high.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive community. Whether it’s friends, family, or a mentor, having encouragement can make a significant difference.
Stay Adaptive: Be open to change and adapt your plans as necessary. Life is unpredictable, and flexibility will help you navigate challenges more effectively
Additionally, take the time to visualize your desired outcomes, immersing yourself in the feelings and experiences associated with achieving those goals. This practice can enhance your focus and reinforce your commitment to making your aspirations a reality. Remember, the process of refocusing is ongoing, and it requires regular check-ins with yourself to ensure that you remain aligned with your intentions.
As we embrace this first Monday of 2025, remember that slumps are a natural part of life. By taking the time to reset, release, and refocus, you can find your way through challenges and create a path forward filled with hope and possibility. Honestly, my slump that I hit on Christmas Eve didn't last a day, I gave myself until today to release, and begin the process of reseting and refocusing. What that has looked like for me is:
-starting back my morning routine
-moving my body
-beginning the 75 hard (join me if you want I'll hold you accountable)
-making daily choices that I know create positive impact
If this post spoke to you, and you would like to have more accountability in your release, reset and refocus journey, I would love to offer you the opportunity to participate in an upcoming FREE program called POUR TO FILL. For 4 weeks, we will dive deeper into the practice of releasing, reseting and refocusing for 2025, and will embrace the various tools through guided journaling to help us in the process. If this sounds like something you are interested in, sign up here.
Let this year be a testament to your resilience and commitment to personal growth. You’ve got this!
As you look to find opportunities to water your growth, I hope that you will also consider attending any upcoming Soulfully Spoken Events or Workshops. Check upcoming events here.
With Love,
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