5 Year-End Lessons
Setting the tone for 2025…
1. Birthdays Are for New Beginnings, Not Regrets
Over the years, I’ve learned that milestones like birthdays aren’t just days to party, they’re opportunities to set the tone for what’s ahead. I’ve made a habit of approaching my birthday with intention, and it’s been a game changer. For me, that means staying present, feeling good in my body, and waking up the next day energized and clear-minded. This year as I turned 37, I leaned into that intention and celebrated in a way that felt authentic. I had fun, but I didn’t need to get wasted to enjoy myself. The result? My best birthday in a decade, without anxiety or regret. Instead of kicking off a new year of life with a hangover, I embraced it with gratitude and focus. It’s a tradition I recommend to everyone: honor your milestones with clarity, not chaos.
2. New Year’s Eve Is About Presence, Not Excess
New Year’s Eve is another big one for me. There’s something magical about closing one chapter and opening another. But why start a fresh new year feeling awful? That’s why I approach NYE with the same mindset I bring to my birthday. Sure, I love a good celebration, but I value staying present in my body even more. I want to fully experience the joy, excitement, and possibility of the night, not just chase it in a bottle. When you wake up on January 1st feeling good, you’re already starting the year on the right foot. That’s how I want to greet a new year: with intention, clarity, and motivation, not with a headache and regret.
3. Letting Go of Connections That No Longer Serve You
This year, I learned an important lesson about relationships: you don’t have to stay connected with everyone you’ve ever connected with. For so long, I struggled to let go of people because I know how painful it feels to be let go. My own history (being estranged from my family) made me overly empathetic to others, even to my own detriment. I clung to relationships out of guilt, loyalty, or fear of causing pain. But this year, I realized that holding onto people who no longer align with me doesn’t serve anyone. Letting go doesn’t mean you don’t care; it means you care enough about yourself to prioritize your well-being. This was a year of releasing unhealthy attachments and embracing the freedom that comes with it.
4. Prevention Is the Ultimate Form of Self-Care
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how important it is to take preventative action when it comes to my health, my skin, and my overall well-being. Aging is a natural process, but how you navigate it is entirely within your control. It’s so much easier, and so much more rewarding to prevent damage than to reverse it. Simple habits like wearing sunscreen, eating nourishing foods, and staying active might not feel glamorous in the moment, but they pay off in ways that are impossible to ignore as the years go by.
What’s wild is that every year I get older, something new pops up. Just when I think I’ve adjusted to all the changes my body could possibly go through, a new one sneaks in to remind me that the journey doesn’t stop. From changes in my skin to shifts in energy levels, to the unmistakable creaks and cracks in my joints that weren’t there before, it’s a constant evolution. Those little reminders that my body is aging make it even clearer how important it is to stay ahead of the curve.
It’s not just about looking youthful; it’s about maintaining strength, mobility, and energy to keep up with life’s demands and surprises. Prevention is a form of self-respect, and the sooner you prioritize it, the more prepared you’ll feel to handle all the new quirks that come with getting older.
5. The Beauty of a Smaller Circle
Over the years, I’ve noticed that my core circle of friends keeps getting smaller. Every other year, it seems to shrink just a little bit more and honestly, I’m not mad about it. Life gets busy. Most of my friends are juggling kids, careers, and their own personal responsibilities, and some live across the country. Maintaining a close-knit group takes effort, and I’ve come to realize that having fewer, but deeper, connections is more meaningful to me than spreading myself thin across a wide network.
They say it’s harder to make new friends as you get older, and I’m starting to understand why. I’m friendly and positive most of the time, but I also value my energy and match what I’m given. I have a lot on my plate, and my time is valuable. Unless I meet someone and we truly click, I’m not actively looking to expand my circle. And that’s not cynicism—it’s contentment. I’ve built a life and relationships that I’m proud of, and I don’t feel the need to force anything. A smaller circle doesn’t mean a smaller life; it means my time and energy go to the people who matter most.
Experience is the greatest teacher, and with every year that passes, I’m reminded just how much wisdom comes from simply living through life’s ups and downs. The older I get, the more I realize how much I still have to learn, but I also see how far I’ve come. Every challenge, every victory, every mistake—it all adds up to something meaningful. Life doesn’t slow down, and neither do the lessons, but that’s the beauty of it. I’m grateful for the growth, even when it’s uncomfortable, and I’m excited to see what the next chapter teaches me. Experience doesn’t just create wisdom, it shapes who we are, and I’m embracing every moment of that journey.
Cheers to a new year ahead! A clean slate full of possibilities. I get to choose how my 2025 will look and I am excited for what’s to come.
Nicole x