Each January I sit down and write my largest classes discovered — and yearly it finally ends up being certainly one of my most private, most saved and most revisited weblog posts. I really feel like with the intention to transfer ahead, you’ve acquired to look again to see what labored, what didn’t after which make adjustments in your life, mindset and learn how to reside a greater life. Final yr’s 10 Classes Discovered in 2024 got here from a season of slowing down, discovering readability and selecting extra intention… and I bear in mind hitting publish considering, okay — this appears like a turning level.
And but, 2025 by some means managed to show me much more!!
This previous yr held BIG targets for my profession, quiet mornings the place I might FOCUS, unbelievable journeys + journey crammed with ADVENTURE, parenting conversations that stayed with me and an entire lot of studying within the on a regular basis — the type that doesn’t at all times make headlines however adjustments you all the identical. So at this time I’m sitting down with a giant cup of espresso, reflecting on what mattered most, what stretched me and what I’m carrying into the following yr with a full coronary heart and clearer perspective.
Listed below are ten classes 2025 taught me…
one. in the event you don’t meet your aim it doesn’t imply you failed
I set some fairly lofty targets for 2025 — and whereas I achieved most of them, there have been a couple of that I didn’t fairly cross the end line on. Outdated me would’ve instantly labeled that as failure… however this yr I discovered to shift my mindset. These “missed” targets weren’t failures — they had been suggestions. They grew to become studying alternatives that invited me to ask higher questions, modify my strategies and create extra lifelike timelines shifting into 2026. I discovered that expectations want respiratory room, perfection isn’t actual and success isn’t linear. Arduous work nonetheless issues, however flexibility issues simply as a lot. Progress doesn’t at all times comply with a neat timeline — and that’s okay!!
PRO TIP | Handle your expectations… don’t count on perfection on a regular basis as a result of it’s merely not attainable. Simply remind your self life not often goes precisely to plan. Failure isn’t the alternative of success = it’s merely a stepping stone and studying to adapt to life’s twists + turns is a should.
two. house is the place your coronary heart is
Between journey days, busy seasons and oh so full calendars, I used to be reminded many times that house is my anchor. It’s the place my coronary heart settles, the place our routines reside, the place the conversations occur across the kitchen desk and the sluggish mornings unfold. Regardless of how far we traveled in 2025, there’s one thing grounding about coming again to our place — the house that holds our household, our reminiscences, and our quiet. Rising older has taught me concerning the worth of house candy house and the way protected that house feels, particularly when life will get hectic and issues appear unbalanced. Working example: I by no means used to need to ring in a brand new yr at house and this yr I used to be past thrilled to be in my pajamas consuming glowing grape juice and watching TV on the sofa with Jeff. Within the hustle and bustle of life, house issues most.
three. being wholesome is greater than only a quantity on a scale
Well being and wellness has taken on an entire new that means for me in my forties #thanksperimenopause. It’s not a couple of quantity, a dimension or a aim weight — it’s about how I really feel, how I sleep, how I present up for my household, and the way I look after my physique and thoughts long-term. When you’ve adopted alongside, you’ve seen a significant shift in my health mindset over the previous 2.5 years = buying and selling out carb counting and fasting for power coaching and prioritizing protein and it’s one thing loads of you’ve got requested me to speak extra about within the coming yr. This yr jogged my memory that true wellness is layered — it’s bodily, psychological, emotional AND religious. And it deserves constant care, not seasonal consideration! It’s about consistency, displaying up on days once you actually don’t need to, and feeling assured in who you’re. Keep tuned buddies, extra to come back on this one quickly!
4. take the journey… make the reminiscences depend
Arduous Work Pays Off: Desires require effort; don’t watch for issues to be handed to you.
One phrase rang loud and clear from 2025 and that was ADVENTURE… journey performed a significant half in my time. From work journeys in Cabo, Charleston, Palm Seaside, Aspen and Scottsdale to private getaways to Purgatory, NYC, Italy, Rosemary Seaside and extra, a few of our favourite moments got here from saying sure to journey and hopping on a aircraft — whether or not it was lengthy flights, packed suitcases, or simply fast getaways that crammed our cups with important character reminiscences, I used to be reminded that journeys aren’t nearly locations — they’re about shared laughter, pictures you’ll treasure later, and creating reminiscences that keep lengthy after the baggage are unpacked. If there’s a visit in your coronary heart… take it.
5. say no so you possibly can say sure
This was a tough lesson for me. I’m naturally a “sure” individual — however 2025 taught me that boundaries are usually not boundaries and so they aren’t unkind… they’re needed. Saying no protected my time, my power, my emotions [and above all else] and my peace + sanity. It allowed me to say sure to what mattered most — my household, my well being, my buddies and the issues that actually crammed my cup. Progress requires house, and generally the one approach to create space is to softly say no to issues that don’t match that standards. Belief me, this can be a lesson I’m nonetheless studying and nonetheless engaged on each day = it’s not straightforward for me as a result of I need to give 110% to something + the whole lot however I do know it depletes me once I overcommit so I’ll hold this “no” mindset as we transfer into a brand new yr as nicely.
PRO TIP | Know your limits and don’t really feel responsible for saying no. This may mean you can then step exterior your consolation zone in different areas of your life so as to say YES to development! You’ve acquired to prioritize your self = it’s not egocentric to place your self first generally…
six. you need to prioritize your individual happiness
The earlier lesson is a PERFECT seg approach for this one as a result of NO ONE else can MAKE you cheerful… you’ve acquired to go on the market and make it fhappen. I watched Forrest Gump final week and the quote rang loud and clear about creating your individual future… don’t count on others to fill the voids and convey you happiness = you’ve acquired to go on the market and discover it for your self! It’s a each day alternative and an inside job that ONLY you possibly can fill. Merely put… investing in your self [mind, body and soul] is the most effective funding you may make.
You’ve acquired to play the hand of playing cards you’ve been dealt in life = don’t make excuses, don’t search out sympathy, simply take duty on your personal life and what you need out of it. However as a mild reminder: proceed to study to get to know who you’re as a result of we do change + evolve on a regular basis… Make sure to not let others’ opinions outline you and most of all study to just accept your genuine self for who you’re!
seven. relaxation is a discovered talent
Jeff will snicker when he sees this one as a result of he’s at all times telling me to relaxation and take a break and it’s completely on of the toughest issues for me to aim as a result of relaxation doesn’t come naturally to me — I’ve at all times labored… from the day I turned 16 I acquired a job on the mall, labored my approach by means of school and immediately began my skilled profession upon commencement. And let’s not speak concerning the occasions I’ve held a number of positions in life = however this yr taught me that slowing down is productive. Relaxation permits readability and avoids burn out. It restores persistence. It creates margin. Studying to pause, recharge and launch management over issues I can’t change has been probably the most releasing classes of all. I suppose it took me turning 40 to appreciate this and one thing I’m at all times at battle with however I do assume I get higher at resting…slowly however absolutely!
PRO TIP | When you’re horrible like me at permitting your self to relaxation, schedule time to make it occur. Put an hour in your each day to-do record and follow the plan. Perhaps it’s taking a nap or studying a ebook or just having to place your laptop computer/cellphone/tech away for a bit… planning to relaxation will enable you to notice the significance of it and it will turn out to be a neater behavior to sort out in 2026. Inform your self that with the intention to reside a cheerful life you’ve acquired to care for your self + decelerate.
eight. what you see on socials is a snapshot of somebody’s life
Social media reveals a merely put, a spotlight reel — not actual life. And I believe I’m simply as responsible of getting wrapped up within the persona that social media creates that generally I’ve to remind myself it’s all a snapshot of the complete image of somebody’s true life. 2025 jogged my memory how vital compassion, kindness AND empathy are. Even when their feed appears to be like idyllic, that very same individual might be strolling by means of their darkest days and simply attempting to placed on a courageous face for the outside. Individuals usually solely share their greatest moments, successes and filtered pictures on the web as a result of truthfully, it’s way more fairly… however with that, it additionally creates a curated, unrealistic very best that camouflages the reality… struggles + failures, unhealthy days and imperfections = BUT I believe the much less good, extra messy, lovely behind-the-scenes present and tells are far more actual and one thing we must always all attempt to showcase extra of in 2026.
9. at all times reside within the current
This yr jogged my memory simply how shortly life strikes — how straightforward it’s to hurry by means of the times, at all times serious about what’s subsequent as a substitute of soaking in what’s proper in entrance of us. I discovered myself catching these little moments extra deliberately… quiet mornings earlier than the home wakes up [hence why I get up so early everyday], lengthy talks within the automobile [when my kids are held hostage as I’m driving them], unplanned dinners that changed into laughter-filled nights, and easy routines that after felt peculiar however now really feel sacred. Residing within the current has taught me to pause, to breathe and to actually see the life I’m dwelling — not simply the model I’m planning for. The previous has already completed its job, and the longer term will unfold in its personal time = don’t rush it!!! Proper now could be the place gratitude lives, the place peace grows, and the place the reminiscences that matter most are being made.
I at all times inform myself to have a good time on a regular basis since you don’t know when it’s your final and I believe I’ve lived that out extra prior to now three hundred and sixty five days than I did for five+ years earlier than that. Shedding my grandmother in late 2024 was an actual wake-up name for a way I prioritize time with my household, particularly my grandfather. Rather more of my free time went into calling him on a regular basis and visiting him weekly and the time we’ve given one another in 2025 has been probably the most real joys of my yr and the reward I’ve been given has been an absolute treasure.
ten. gratitude is the whole lot
If there’s one phrase that continued to form my coronary heart this yr, it’s gratitude. It modified the best way I approached laborious days, softened my reactions to sure conditions and shifted my perspective in moments that might’ve simply felt heavy + overwhelming. Gratitude doesn’t ignore the laborious — it reframes it. It jogs my memory of what’s nonetheless good, what’s nonetheless regular, and what nonetheless deserves to be celebrated.
Principally it taught me to understand EVERYTHING I HAVE. I discovered that gratitude isn’t simply one thing you are feeling — it’s one thing you observe. It’s selecting thankfulness in small moments, appreciating the place you’re in life, and trusting that even in unsure seasons, there’s nonetheless a lot to be pleased about.
PRO TIP | Write down 3 belongings you’re grateful for every day… whether or not it’s in your calendar, a post-it observe that you simply follow your mirror or in the event you merely say them out loud = converse up concerning the belongings you’re appreciative of. I’ll begin: at this time I’m grateful for a job I like, the flexibility to maneuver my physique and for a quiet morning of some a lot wanted “me” time.
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