2025 Goals

With a hefty dose of Capricorn energy.

I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions because it feels like setting myself up for failure. Goals, however, seem somehow less rigid, more do-able. A goal is something to work towards, not a resolve that’s certain to be broken. Will you achieve that goal? Maybe, or maybe it becomes a different goal or maybe you realize it’s not the goal so much as the work/practice you put in that’s the achievement. I like the idea of working towards something instead of trying to set hard and fast rules for myself.

A note: Some of my goals are things I’ve already started working on that I want to continue with and some are brand new. Here they are:

Goal: Movement.
This is something I’ve already been working on. I am very consistent about lifting weights three days a week and I also do several Peloton rides per week and do my dumb little walks as the weather permits. Despite all of this, my daily step count is still pretty low. I’d like to work on getting more steps in daily - mini walks, a walking pad at work, I’m not sure, but it’s a goal to work towards. (Also, I’m just going to say that walking in the PNW in the winter is hard. I don’t mind getting drizzled on but today it’s 47 degrees and pouring rain. I miss you, Virginia sunshine.)

Goal: Recovery.
I am great at working out consistently but I am terrible at recovery. This means I almost never stretch or foam-roll, I’m not prioritizing sleep, and I’m often sore all the time. I would like to add a couple of 10-20 minute stretch/foam roll sessions a week and try harder to get in bed before 10pm. Also, I did a mobile sauna/cold plunge thing last January that I absolutely loved and was immediately all, “I should sign up for one of those places that offers sauna/cold plunge sessions.” I didn’t but I think I might this year.

Goal: No new purchases for 31 days.
Oof, y’all. This is going to be tough and I’m already trying to bargain in my brain to find loopholes. I’ve gotten into a really bad order/return cycle with internet shopping and it’s exhausting. I’m obviously not returning everything, either. It’s too much. So, I’m setting a goal of not buying anything new (clothes, shoes, makeup, skincare, accessories) for the month of January. This doesn’t seem hard on the surface but something about the dopamine hit of an online order is really addictive and I need redirect my focus.

Goal: Drink less.
Dry January is an excellent goal but it’s a hard month in general and my birthday is smack dab in the middle of it. So instead of not drinking at all, I’m not drinking at home. Not because I feel like I have a problem with it but lately drinking booze makes me feel like total shit the next day. I had two normal-sized glasses of wine on NYE and woke up the next morning with a screaming migraine. Hate that for me. So less drinking overall is the goal. (To be clear, this started a few weeks ago. It’s not a New Year’s goal, more a recent realization.)

Goal: Write more often.
I want to post more on Substack but I’m curious what those of you who subscribe want to see. Do you care about my outfits or the stuff I buy? Do you look forward to the mini book reviews? Let me know what you like and what you skip. (I can take it!) I’m also toying with the idea of ditching the affiliate links and going to a paid subscriber level for certain posts but I’m not sure this lil Substack is there yet. I’m listening, so tell me what you think.

Goal: Edit the feed. Control my consumption.
I really got into a bad place during the last Trump term where I felt like I had to be ever vigilant about what was happening and it was exhausting and scary. This time I’m just going to hunker down a bit and try to do the best I can with what I have. I’ll donate to causes that are meaningful and I’ll find a volunteer opportunity that feels good. I can’t change anyone’s mind and I can’t keep vibing at a level so high that I’m constantly fearful of what’s next. But, I’m still paying attention. (I am a Capricorn after all.)