Two things hit me this morning as soon as I woke up:
- 2024 was kinda rough, but it was filled with a lot of lessons from trials where, if I had trusted my intuition and discernment, I would not have had to go through. I’ll apply those lessons learned to my 2025 plans and decision-making process.
- This is the most motivated, positive and focused I’ve felt in YEARS!
Put together, it has made me feel very motivated and happy for 2025. 2024 ended in a very different than most other years for me. It is the first time in recent years I can remember where I didn’t have a depressive episode at the end of the year, thinking about all the things I am missing out on and all the things that I should have accomplished that year. Instead, I was living each day and feeling extremely grateful for each and every moment.
Were there moments of panic? YES!!
Particularly when it came time to purchase my contacts and some other necessities, and I watched my meagre savings dwindle and disappear as I had to pay for things. Thinking about the big move and how am I going to afford that. I was looking at all the things that were due or overdue, and I couldn’t fix, but I stopped and took a breath, and then went back to gratitude.
2024 taught me how to refocus and reshape my thinking, and I am very grateful for that.
At the end of 2024 here are 7 things I learned or am implementing that are going to propel my 2025 to success and completely change the trajectory of my life.
- I crafted a VERY CLEAR VISION of my future. I now know what I am working towards, and let me tell you, it is beautiful, and I refuse to live that beautiful life. So, I am taking all the necessary steps and taking action today so I can enjoy the results – my dream life – as soon as possible.
- I shifted my mindset. I always start the year in a stronger position than I end it in. Dreaming big has never been my problem; it’s taking action and my own ineffectiveness that have been the hindrances. In the past I have always felt down around the holiday time but that shifted in September 2024. I made a conscious decision and went to god in prayer about what I was feeling and dealing with and asked home to lead me to the resources and scriptures I needed to encourage me.
- I put my relationship with God first. The scripture clearly says in Matthew 6:33 to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Phillip Anthony Mitchel said something along the lines of we are always for purpose while we should be focusing on our relationship. So I’m letting go and, in turn, refocusing on what matters and letting Him guide me.
- I read The 12 Week Year. I stumbled across the book The 12 Week Year and read it and listened to it, and as a serial procrastinator or I was. This book changed how I think about deadlines. If every day is a week, I need to take massive action every single day. As someone who loves rewards and a good pat on the back, I need to secure an 85% or above at each Weekly Accountability Meeting.
- Body Doubling for Work. I need an accountability partner. I also need to stay awake during work hours, which I have struggled with for years. This is why, to keep one side of my brain occupied, I have always had something playing in the background so the rest of my brain can focus on whatever I am doing. I am not doing that this year. I read up on Body Doubling, joined a few ADHD Reddit forums, and am testing a few virtual coworking sites. So far, it has been very good, and the forced accountability has been very helpful.
- I am taking a much-needed social media break. My screen time got up to 11+ hours on average on some weeks in 2024, which is beyond embarrassing but mostly concerning. Of course, some of those hours are video calls home, but it has to be minimized significantly in 2025. Someone told me to add the time limit – it doesn’t work for me. I click ignore when it’s done, so my verdict on that is it is ineffective for me. Getting rid of all of them, even the ones I don’t use, was my only and best solution. All social media posting and responding will be done through Meta Business Suite or Later – some third-party app at least for the first 12-week cycle.
- Secular Music fast. Anyone who knows me or has spent more than 45 minutes with me knows I LOVE MUSIC. Any music. I just need to hear a beat. I want to know the words and the background of the song. Who wrote these gut-wrenching lyrics? What was happening? Are they ok? My list is very long. I can’t engage in that this year. I am very focused on being set apart this year, and removing myself from secular music is one of the things I will do to ensure that happens.
This list was supposed to be five things, but writing it made me realize that I am implementing TWO other significant and life-changing things.
2025 has been prophesied to be many things, but for me, it will be a year where I draw closer to the Lord, break chains, speak positively, watch God manifest his promises in my life and experience financial freedom and all that comes with it.
God is amazing, and I am living proof of that.
Happy 2025!
Till next time,
Shanielle
