Welcoming 2025 with Open Arms (Issue #84)
New traditions + why super specific resolutions just aren’t for me.
Hi friends!
I don’t care how cliché it sounds – every new year feels like a fresh start. It’s why I love anything that marks the passing of time and why I could never live somewhere without four distinct seasons. Every change (whether it’s from year to year or season to season) prompts me to reflect, set new intentions, and approach the next phase of life with renewed energy.
For me, that fresh start begins bright and early on January 1st. Last year, Andrew and I kicked things off by getting a breakfast of dim sum (it’s the perfect food whether you start your year slightly hungover or not). After, we bought a dozen donuts and drove around delivering them to our friends’ houses. It was a really solid way to start the year!! Now, I want to note that I am writing this newsletter in December 2024 in anticipation of my holiday break, so for me, New Year's hasn’t technically happened yet. That said, Andrew and I have chatted about continuing our dim sum and donuts tradition to welcome 2025, but at the point of writing, I cannot guarantee we followed that plan. 😂
On the note of trying not to make promises I can’t keep, I will not be setting any traditional resolutions this year. In my experience, resolutions tend to be far too restrictive, and I very rarely stick to them. Instead, I’ve found that reflecting on a guiding value or principle for the year is a much more flexible and fulfilling approach.
But what does that even mean?? Here’s an example: say you want to be intentional about learning new things in the coming year. As a specific resolution, this might look like “I’ll read 50 books by the end of the year” or “I’ll sign up for a new online course and complete it each month.” These are great goals, but I’ve always found that when I have hyper-specific resolutions or rules, the goal feels more like a chore than a fun thing to strive toward. And when life gets busy (which it always does), anything that feels like an extra burden will be swiftly moved to the back burner. With a value-based approach to the year, that intention to learn new things becomes less prescriptive. Instead, the values of curiosity and learning can become the guides for my year. With this approach, I can ask myself questions about my chosen value. Things like “What excites me about learning?” or “What can I do to regularly expand my perspective?” Throughout the year, as new opportunities arise, I can use the guiding value to weigh how I spend my time. There will always be countless priorities competing for attention, and having an overarching focus for the year can help make smaller decisions (like, “should I sign up for a language class or join a gym?”) a little easier.
Over the years, I’ve found that having a guiding value makes my life feel richer and more fulfilling.
The rigidity of resolutions is a thing of my past!! Instead, I love welcoming the new year with more possibility, flexibility, and open arms.
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
*Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
For a year, acclaimed television creator Shonda Rhimes resolved to say “yes” to everything that scared her. This book details this year-long experiment and the ways it brought more spontaneity, joy, and opportunity into her life.
STARZ: Sweetpea
This gripping show follows a girl whose life is marked by tragedy after tragedy, which leads her to start killing those around her. I was hooked from the first episode.
Netflix: The Later Daters
This new reality dating show follows six golden singles on their journey to love. I’m a huge fan of the Golden Bachelor and Bachelorette, so I’m hoping this show will hit on similar themes.
Playlists to add to your music library.
My 100 most-played songs of 2024! Are most of them Taylor Swift? Yes, why do you ask????
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Inspired by Nam Kaho, this Crispy Rice Salad by @sivanskitchen is one I’m excited to try! Seems quick to pull together and could make for a good work-from-home lunch.
Until recently, I didn’t really have any daily socks of my own (s/o to my husband, whose socks I routinely stole 👀). And all that changed when I took the leap with a Bombas sock haul. They’re a little bit more of an investment, but they are built to last and come with a 100% happiness guarantee which means they’ll replace or refund your socks if they become too worn or even if you lose them! And if that wasn’t cool enough, they donate a pair for every Bombas purchased! My favorite from the haul? These adorable bow socks in white. 🎀
Before the break, I shared 12 things I learned in 2024 — from how to find high-quality butter to the curly hair product I now swear by! Check it out here.
Have a great weekend!
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