Intentions for 2025 – What Now?

2024 was such a weird year for me. It felt cut into pieces. I spent the first half panicking about my dream trip to Japan. Then I had an amazing trip in Japan right at the middle of the year. Then family members got sick. I mourned Japan. I felt angry that I wasn’t happy and changed after such a trip. I overdid it with my goals so summer was stressful instead of productive and relaxing. Then the last half I went on medication for my mental health and my writing went really well and everything felt a lot less heavy. I felt like me again. I was productive and happy and more relaxed.

But that’s just the thing: a year is a long time. It’s silly to brand a year as good or bad because every year for every one of us will be filled with moments of both. That’s the point. That’s life. There’s plenty of small things that I have forgotten that meant a great deal to me at the time. And those things are more important. The little slices of life that keep us going or challenge us and we come out stronger – even without noticing it.

I don’t have lofty goals or dreams for 2025. I mean, I kind of do, but nothing that feels crazy. I’m going into this year with two completed drafts of novels that I will hopefully read through, edit and make better. Then, I might be in a position to finally pursue publishing again. We’ll see. I have two ideas for other novels, too. Exciting times for my writing career.

Next year, I’m turning 30. This is a big deal for women especially. Our biological clock, as it were, is ticking. If I want children, I need to decide sooner rather than later. As a married woman, the pressure is tenfold. However, I’m okay with 30 aside from this external pressure. I’m going into my 30s the fittest I’ve ever been. My mental health is better than it’s been. My relationships are great. My writing career is on the up. I have prospects. I’ve been to my top travel destination. I know who I am: a reader, writer, yogi, compassionate, fair, honest, creative, daring, hilarious, film-lover, nerd, introvert, cackle laugher, preppy-meets-sporty dresser, springtime and autumn lover. This is great. I wished for this and I have it.

What a privileged place to be in going into the next decade of my life!

So no, I don’t feel the need to go crazy this coming year. In fact, having finished a novel of 75,000 words only two days ago, I’m ready to relax in January! Read lots and do lots of yoga and meet up with people for cosy intimate time.

My goals can wait while I refill my cup in January.

My motto/theme for 2025 is “Good Enough”. This works on a few levels. It is an anti-perfectionist statement. It is an anti-hustle culture statement. It’s a statement of self-compassion.

It means that I stop looking for better, more or different. I makes me appreciate what I have and who I am. It’s about gratitude and awareness for the things I’ve already worked so hard to get. I’m so lucky. I often think I’m not but I am. I have a home. I have an amazing husband and pup. I have books to read whenever I want, endless things to watch and food in my kitchen. I can go out for dinner or order in. I have more clothes than I’ll probably wear. I have Internet so I can speak to all you lovely people whenever I want. I’ve been to my top travel destinations. I have family around me and a tight support system. I have access to free healthcare. I have Saturday morning park runs to make me feel motivated and mighty. I have a warm bed and hot beverages. I have my writing to self-express and feel like I have something to say.

If all that isn’t good enough, I don’t think anything ever will be.

I’ve built the foundations for what I want my life to look like when I’m 40. Now, all I have to do is keep going. Trust that I’ve already made the right decisions and worked hard and now, I need to appreciate where I am as I work to where I want to be in ten years time.

Because again, a massive lesson I keep learning is that things take time. They take way longer than you expect. Especially if it’s a writing career! I need to be happy and content now, not at some arbitrary later date when certain criteria is fulfilled. I’ll be happy when I own a nice house in a nicer neighbourhood. I’ll be happy when I can run a 5km in under 30 mins. I’ll be happy when I’ve cut out sugar. I’ll be happy when I am a full time author. I’ll be happy when I can master advanced yoga poses. I’ll be happy when I have 1,000 subscribers. I’ll be happy when I have… when I am…

It goes on and on and on if we’re not careful, and happiness never comes.

So yes, 2025 is about embracing Good Enough! I am good enough. What I have is good enough. What I do and how I do it is good enough.

Thanks for reading this past year. As always, I’m so grateful for your time. You are good enough. 2025 will be good enough.

Sincerely,

S. xx