Ditch Your New Year’s Resolutions: Give Yourself a Gift for 2025
We don’t need reminders that the world feels upside down, or that post-pandemic life has grown increasingly stressful. But I have a confession to make: Despite plenty of reasons to feel stressed and pessimistic, 2024 has been an incredible year for me. Sure, tight budgets and cash flow challenges persisted, but I experienced abundance in ways that mattered most. Looking back even further, I see the same pattern. The past seven years weren’t without hardship—far from it—but they were also transformative.
I’ve faced “never again” moments, like being detained in Mexico and seeing red ink on my business balance sheet during the pandemic. But the upside was incomparable: learning woodworking and creating beautiful furniture during lockdown, working with a team that supported me through highs and lows, and collaborating with amazing clients to co-create personal changes and products that we’re proud of.
On a personal note, I’ve cultivated a fulfilling relationship with my partner and rekindled my relationship with my family, reached my best health and fitness in two decades, and found meaning through practices like Breathwork (see my blogs here) and Internal Family Systems theory. These experiences have shaped the abundance I feel in my life today and changed the way I work and coach. Now, let me get to the point.
Why I Hate Resolutions (But Love Gifts)
I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. They often feel like empty promises, quickly forgotten amidst the chaos of January. Instead, I prefer thinking about gifts—intentional actions or practices you can give yourself to set the tone for an extraordinary year.
These aren’t magic cures or quick fixes. But I believe the following five “gifts” can help you move closer to gratitude, abundance, and resilience, no matter the challenges you face.
Five Gifts to Transform Your 2025
- Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is more than a buzzword—it’s foundational to personal transformation. Yet many people dismiss it, thinking, “I’ll do it one day,” or struggle to start. But here’s the truth: even five minutes of mindfulness can make a difference.
How to begin? Download an app like Headspace, read Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn, or attend a retreat in your area. The key is to start small and be consistent. Your mind will thank you.
- Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is one of the most underrated yet powerful practices. Most of us have an inner critic, driver, or judge that drains our energy. How much time do you spend engaging those inner voices?
Self-compassion begins with being kind to yourself, then extending that kindness to others. A great resource that got me started on the path is The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer. So, cut yourself some slack and be kind to yourself. You’ll feel lighter, and your inner critic will lose its grip.
- Forgive Someone (Including Yourself)
Holding onto anger is often compared to drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Unprocessed anger depletes your energy and undermines happiness while forgiveness can be truly liberating.
True forgiveness isn’t about keeping score or nurturing resentment – no cheating allowed! Start by fully acknowledging and feeling your anger. Then, release it through practices like writing a closure/completion letter (see guidelines here). If the anger persists, consider seeking support from a friend, coach, or counselor. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.
- Take a Silent Retreat
Stepping off life’s treadmill can lead to profound insights. Over the past eight years, my annual silent retreat has become a cornerstone of my personal growth; a non-negotiable part of my life.
A retreat may sound daunting, but it doesn’t need to be extreme. Start with half a day, a day or two, and structure it in a way that feels manageable—whether that’s spending time in nature, or simply turning off your devices. The key is to be intentional – to create space for stillness and listen to your inner world. If fasting interests you, consult a medical professional first. And remember, the most important part of a retreat is making time to pause and reflect.
You can read about my process here and you can find ample online resources by searching for “silent retreat” or “vision quest”.
- Change Your State of Consciousness
If you’re ready to go deeper, consider practices that connect you with your inner wisdom and unblock emotional barriers. For me, Breathwork has been life-changing. You can check out my blogs on my journey here.
Since 2022, I’ve attended Breathwork retreats to “open my mind, get unstuck, and clear my inner pipework.” The results? Profound clarity, emotional release, and even re-experiencing my birth. Breathwork offers transformative experiences similar to psychedelics but without the legal or physical risks. I loved it so much that I’m now training as a Rebirthing Breathwork Practitioner! (P.S. Reach out if you are interested in being my “lab rat”!)
If this resonates, look into Rebirthing Breathwork or Holotropic Breathwork in your area. It’s especially impactful if you already have foundational practices like meditation or journaling in place.
Bonus Gift: Consider Coaching or Counseling
I didn’t include this as one of the five gifts, but it’s worth mentioning. Working with a coach or counselor can amplify the value of any of these practices. A thought partner can help you reflect, gain clarity, and navigate life’s complexities.
The Year Ahead
What if, instead of resolutions, you gave yourself a gift that keeps on giving? Whether it’s mindfulness, self-compassion, forgiveness, a silent retreat, or Breathwork, these practices can help you make 2025 your best year yet.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose a gift, take action, and make 2025 the year of abundance and transformation!