Slow & Steady Wins the Race: 2025 is the Year of Intentionality & Alignment

Hi friends! Happy New Year :) Did you miss me? Cause I missed you!?

I can’t believe we are in 2025. I don’t want to sound cliché but I really feel great about this year. This is the year I turn 30, some big things are happening career-wise and I just feel an overall sense of clarity.?

My word for this year is “elevation” and I’m grounding everything that I do this year in that. Elevation to me really is about setting a strong foundation to build on.?

A new year always comes with this unspoken pressure to hit the ground running. In the past, I’ve allowed that pressure to impact me and go speedfast with lack of intention. I’d map out all my goals, chase quick wins and end up being drained & burnt out by mid-February.

But this year, I am approaching it differently. I am calling this era “slow (& intentional) burning into 2025”. The slow burn philosophy is about building habits & routines that stick - not rushing to check things off a list. I’m intentionally committing to pacing myself as I build a routine & lifestyle with small & sustainable steps that align with my long-term vision.?

What’s one small, sustainable step that you can take this week toward your big-picture goals? Share it in the comments or your journal (or boffum).?

So with that - here are my Ins & Outs for 2025:?

INS

Intentional Creativity

Using “No” as a complete sentence

Celebrating all my wins

Dry January

Focus over multitasking

Healthy Boundaries

Investing in timeless pieces

OUTS

Overcommitting

People-pleasing

FOMO

Rushing towards deadlines

Fast fashion

Impulse shopping

Over explaining

What are your ins and outs for 2025? What are the three things you're embracing and leaving behind in 2025? Let me know in the comments!

Speaking of starting 2025 with intention, I have decided to participate in Dry January. For NYE, I hosted some of my closest girlfriends at my home and we truly celebrated our 2024 wins as well as everything we are going after this year. A time was truly had and it felt like a serendipitous way to close out and start off a new year.?

For me, this isn’t just about cutting alcohol (even though I think I could go a while without seeing a glass of bubbly in my proximity LOL) - it’s about creating space for focus and clarity. By eliminating the distraction, I’m giving myself the chance to pour more energy into my creativity and personal growth - laying down a strong foundation.?

What’s one thing you are removing to make room for your goals? It doesn’t have to be alcohol, it can be a certain habit, distraction or mindset that’s been holding you back. Write it down and commit to it for the month. I’d love to hear how it’s going :)?

For me, 2025 isn’t just about achieving my goals - it’s about creating a lifestyle that feels as good as it looks. For me, that means:?

• Committing to my slow mornings & evenings: Waking up earlier to have time for myself, setting daily intentions, staying unplugged for the first hour, and savoring my breakfast and morning coffee with ease. I’m committing to wrapping up my workday by 6 PM, shutting my laptop to pour into personal projects, make dinner, and unwind with my favorite comfort show—currently rewatching Insecure for the millionth time. What’s your go-to comfort show? Most importantly, I’m making sure to stick to my bedtime routine to end the day on a peaceful note.

• Nurturing my creativity: Creativity is like a muscle - if you don’t work on it everyday, you can lose it for a bit. I’m intentionally setting time to brainstorm, create or just experiment and play.

• Honoring my boundaries: I love showing up for my loved ones and all that they do. Even if that means showing up when my tank is on E. Moving forward, I am saying no to overcommitting to things. It’s okay to turn down some events if you aren’t feeling it. You owe it to yourself and your community to show up as your best self and that means saying yes to what makes sense and no to what doesn’t feel good.

• Prioritizing reflection: Setting aside time weekly to reflect on what’s working, what’s not and how I’m feeling. This will keep me aligned and always clear on the “why”.

As I ease into 2025, I’m embracing the power of alignment, clarity & sustainability.?

What does “a year that feels good” looks like for you? What can you introduce in your routine to feel more grounded and aligned with your “why”? Let me know.?

Take it slow - remember you are building something that matters.?

Xo

Kaitlyn