What Does 2025 Hold for Me?
What Does 2025 Hold for Me?
As I reflect on 2024, I am amazed at how fast it zoomed by, but I'm even more thrilled with all that the year yielded me. The successes, challenges, and lessons of the past year left me filled with gratitude, joy, and a determination to embrace a new season in my life.
Successes
"Success is defined differently for different people and holds a meaning that may evolve or change over time."
If you had asked me as a teenager what success was, my response would have included a conversation about my grades, money, and making my own rules. In my twenties, thirties, and forties, the answer would have shifted to goals of having a financially rewarding career, marriage, a family of my own, and being healthy.
Now, success simply looks like a life that's filled with what brings me peace and joy after retiring from a career of over twenty-five years as an educator. In this new season, success looks like:
Having time to spend with my family
Supporting people and causes close to my heart
Traveling and writing
Building a brand-new business
Participating in hobbies
These are all the things that bring me joy—pure and simple joy. Being able to enjoy these things brings me peace, and this is what success looks like to me now.
Challenges and Lessons
While this past year held much success and tremendous milestones, there were also challenges and lessons learned.
"One of the challenges that I faced was the internal conflict about leaving my career as an educator and giving up over half of my income to retire early."
My identity for over half of my adult life had been tied heavily to my career as a teacher, working tirelessly for my students in a high-needs urban district. I didn't know who I would be once I closed that chapter of my life. I really struggled with that decision, but deep down inside, I knew it was the right one.
The lessons I learned:
I am a woman of resilience, determination, and faith.
With these qualities and the support of a loving village and tribe, my life outside the traditional classroom is still fulfilling.
This new chapter brings me joy, happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Recharging and Planning Ahead
The holidays, especially toward the end of the year, are often a time to reflect and celebrate. However, this year hit differently because of my retirement.
For the first time in over twenty-five years, I could enjoy the holidays without splitting my time between grading papers, doing lesson plans, and feeling anxious about returning to work. Instead, I focused on self-care and self-reflection:
I allowed my mind to rest, avoiding laborious thoughts and even skipping the news for a few days.
I gave myself permission to sleep late and take naps whenever my body needed rest.
I adjusted my schedule to include more quiet time and fewer early morning appointments.
I embraced stillness to recalibrate.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Moving forward, I’ve been intentional about setting my goals for the year and planning the work to achieve them. One of my first goals is to help and coach 300 people to realize their dream of starting their own business. To achieve this, I’ve committed to:
Reading more to prepare my mind and combat self-sabotaging thoughts.
Trying something new consistently to expand my reach and grow my businesses.
Walking in gratitude for all wins, big and small.
Embracing failure as a source of lessons and growth.
Giving myself grace when faced with fear, while pushing through to the other side.
"This is required of me because I'm working on some really big goals and striving to turn some of my most unbelievable dreams into an incredible reality."
2025 is not just a new year; it’s a new chapter filled with hope, determination, and the courage to build the life I envision. Here's to all the work ahead—and the joy and peace that come with it.
