The New Year is here, and with it comes the pressure to set resolutions, overhaul your life, and ‘be better.’ But let’s be real: You can’t step into the New Year like a badass if you’re still dragging old, unfinished chapters behind you.
2024 was probably the first year that I started really taking things seriously. Every year I set the same goals, the same resolutions, and every year felt so broken when I didn’t achieve them. The amount of time I’ve spent planning and goal setting and vision boarding is actually ridiculous. Especially without having any actions in place that would help me be successful.
Part of my problem, was holding on to behaviors and baggage from the past. I wasn’t ready to actually make the changes necessary to well….make the changes. We make all these resolutions over and over and over but we have all these things we carry with us from year to year.
What if this year, instead of making another list of resolutions, you made the bold decision to close the fucking door on the things holding you back?
Closing Old Chapters Before Starting New Ones
Before we get into setting new goals and resolutions, we need to take some time to let go of old behaviors and ideas we don’t want to carry into the new year. This isn’t easy, but it’s super fucking important.
When I was still using, I set SO MANY FUCKING GOALS, all the time, but especially for New Year. Except it didn’t include getting clean. Because I kept setting goals and not achieving them, I tried setting intentions instead. Last year I even tried creating an action plan I was sure was foolproof.
It honestly wasn’t until I started coaching others that I realized how deeply my past was effecting my future. I’ve been holding on to bad habits and negative thinking for years now, and it’s time to let it all go.
Fitness and finances are always good examples for me.
I always have some kind of goal for each, but I hadn’t done the work to let go of old habits that were holding me back. I wasn’t changing my relationship with food, exercise, or money. I have all this baggage from how I grew up to relationships that fucked me over hanging over my head and influencing my decisions. Eat when I’m sad, spend when I’m stressed, sleep when I’m depressed, etc etc.
I have to let go of those beliefs before I can be successful in attaining my goals in any of these areas.
Signs You’re Ready To Leave Last Year Behind
Take a moment to reflect on 2024. What stands out to you?? Write down all the things you feel about 2024.
Here are some good signs you’re ready to move forward :
•You’re replaying the same struggles or regrets from last year.
•You feel stuck, uninspired, or like you’re living on autopilot.
•You’re carrying emotional baggage that no longer serves you.
Ask yourself: Do I really want to bring this into 2024? Or am I finally ready to fucking let it go?
Steps to Close the Chapter as You Enter the New Year
- Reflect on the past year.
- Don’t just look at what went wrong. Celebrate what you survived, what you learned, and how far you’ve come.”
- Share how reflecting on your year helped you find clarity and closure.
- Release what no longer serves you.
- Write it down, burn it, scream it out — do whatever it takes to let that shit go.
- Start a New Year ritual: journaling, a symbolic act of letting go, or creating a vision board for the year ahead.
- Set a clear intention for the new year.
- Not a vague resolution like ‘be happier’ — a powerful intention that actually excites you.
My intention for 2025 is to Keep Promises to Myself.
It’s not as vague as it sounds — if I say I’m going to do something, I’m doing everything in my power to get it done. Simple as that.
How to Step Boldly Into the Next Chapter in 2024
- Get brutally honest about what you want this year.
Forget what others expect of you. What does your dream 2025 look like?
The moment I chose to put myself first is the moment everything changed. And when I say put myself first, I don’t mean above others feelings to detriment — I mean above MYSELF. I mean getting out of my own way and putting my long term goals ahead of my need for instant gratification.
- Take one brave step today.
Don’t wait for the ‘perfect time.’ The best way to build momentum is to start messy. Maybe that looks like setting a boundary, or investing in your personal or professional growth like taking a course or finding a coach.
- Commit to growth, not perfection.
The New Year isn’t about ‘fixing’ yourself. It’s about becoming more of who you’re meant to be.
Embrace the Energy of the New Year
2025 is a blank fucking slate. You don’t need to fill it with resolutions or goals you’ll forget by February. You need to fill it with action, purpose, and bold moves.
And remember, it’s MEANT to be uncomfortable. Growth is uncomfortable. Things are filled with so much uncertainty and sometimes straight up confusion, but that’s OK. What matters is that you’re showing up and doing the fucking work.
Choose to Make 2025 YOUR YEAR
If you’re ready to leave last year’s bullshit behind and step boldly into 2025, know this: You don’t have to do it perfectly, but you do have to fucking do it.
It truly doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve been through, or figuring out exactly how to get where you want to go. The more you hang on to those things the harder it will be to build the future you really want, the one you daydream about and maybe somewhere in there feel like you don’t deserve.
Let all that shit go. It no longer serves you, and we’re leaving all that shit in the past.
What chapter are you ready to leave behind in 2024? Share it in the comments — let’s hold each other accountable.