Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, I’m reflecting on the fresh start that comes with this season. It’s the perfect time to shed any past doubts and embrace intentional growth. But instead of making grand resolutions, I like to use January as a time to refocus on the small, consistent actions that compound into meaningful change. As we know, growth is about progress, not perfection.

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♡ MANTRA OF THE MONTH: Small wins build big confidence.

This time of year everyone is talking about big goals and big change! The gym gets more crowded, social media is flooded with “ins & outs” of the year, and there’s a certain feel in the air that makes us think this is the moment for transformation. As exciting as it is to set grand resolutions, doing so often distracts from the fact that true power lies in the small, intentional steps we take each day.

The journey of growth isn’t about making radical changes overnight—it’s about steady, consistent progress that builds a strong foundation over time. There’s power in starting small. By focusing on simple, intentional actions and mindset shifts, you set the stage for achieving your bigger goals while gaining confidence and momentum along the way. Dreaming big is important, but even the most exciting invitation loses its magic if you don’t show up. Rather than striving for perfection all at once, commit to one purposeful step at a time. Each small decision brings you closer to the confident, balanced life you’re working toward.

One of my favorite ways to practice this “progress over perfection” mindset is through journaling. It’s a small habit that has big impact on your mental health. I created this FREE downloadable Gratitude Journal, and you can check out my favorite leather journal here.

Wellness Trends 🌱

With a new year comes fresh opportunities, and these trends have been all the buzz going into this month. Here’s how I’m incorporating them into my flow:

♡ Mental Health & Self Care: The importance of mental health continues to be a major focus — especially at the start of a new year and as we head deeper into the winter months. Practices like therapy, journaling, and gratitude exercises are a great way to stay mentally fit and aligned with your personal growth. However, it’s not always enough to just show up — I’m using the new year to hold myself accountable for optimizing these good habits in a couple of intentional ways:

• Therapy: listing the top 3-4 things I want to work on throughout the year and planning to discuss them with my therapist during my January appointment. It’s easy to show up to therapy and just yap away about life’s most recent dramas, and sometimes that’s very much needed — but I also want to stay focused on the larger ticket items that feel important to my overall wellbeing.

• Journaling and Gratitude: writing in my 1-line-a-day journal at least a few times a week. Since this takes less than a couple of minutes, it’s much more approachable than committing to writing a full detailed journal entry every day, and ensures I’m still reflecting and practicing gratitude regularly.

♡ Digital Detox and Screen-Free Time: With so much time spent online, there’s a growing trend of intentional digital detoxes to reduce stress and anxiety. Many of us are taking breaks from social media, limiting screen time, or dedicating certain hours of the day to "unplug" for better mental health. I’m embracing this idea by being more intentional about the time I spend on my screens — time-blocking my day, planning when I’ll be using my phone to create content or engage on social media, and putting my phone out of the room in the evening when I’m spending time connecting with my partner. We’re also spending more time reading in the evenings, rather than watching TV. I recently listened to a great podcast about happiness, which touches on the relationship between technology and social interaction.

♡ Dry January: Not a new concept, but one I joyfully embrace each year, Dry January is a chance to reset and give our bodies a break after the indulgence of the holiday season. Whether you’re taking a full month off or simply looking to cut back, this trend offers a refreshing (and sure-fire) way to prioritize both physical and mental wellness. Eliminating alcohol can improve your sleep, increase your energy, and even promote gut health and weight loss. I’ll be sharing some fun mocktails throughout the month on my Instagram, and would love to hear any of your faves!

What I’m Loving Lately ✨

A quick roundup of what’s brought me joy over the past month.

♡ What I’m watching:
I’m in a bit of a post-holiday movie detox at the moment, but I’m counting down the days until the new season of Severance drops on January 17! With winter keeping us cozied up indoors, I’m on the lookout for shows to add to my list. Got any recommendations? Send them my way!

♡ What I’m reading:
Ride of a Lifetime. Robert Iger, Former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, offers an inside look at bits of his personal life and leadership journey as one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. So far the book has read like a refreshingly candid reflection on leadership and decision-making. I’m enjoying his story-telling around his experiences and lessons learned and how he thinks about building a lasting legacy.

♡ What’s inspiring me:
IRL connection. Over the past several weeks I’ve been leaning into the power of fresh connections and new conversations. There’s something energizing about meeting new people and exchanging ideas—it reminds me how much growth comes from stepping outside our usual circles. Saying yes to a coffee chat can be a simple way to experience something new, spark creativity, and reinforce the importance of surrounding ourselves with inspiring energy.

♡ What I’m Loving Lately:
Wingspan. We become absolutely hooked on Wingspan during the winter for the past few years now, and we finally pulled it back out over the holidays. It’s a beautifully designed board game that’s equal parts relaxing and strategic, perfect for cozy nights in or low-key gatherings with friends. The game centers on building your own bird sanctuary, and the art, attention to detail, and gameplay make it such a unique experience. It’s a fun way to unwind while keeping your mind engaged—highly recommend if you’re looking for something new to try this year!

Good Thoughts Brand

We’re excited to announce a new merchandise drop coming soon in 2025! 🥳 Instead of a limited release, we’ll be opening a short window to secure your order. Once the drop closes, orders will be cut off—so stay tuned! You won’t want to miss these pieces!

Follow along on Instagram and subscribe to the Good Thoughts Brand newsletter here.

Career Confidence 👩🏽‍💻

In November we discussed value in the workplace, and in December we talked about setting career intentions for 2025.

Now that we’ve turned the page into the new year, it’s a great time to reset and realign your professional goals. Whether you're aiming for a promotion, switching careers, or simply wanting to enhance your work-life balance, January offers the fresh start we all crave. While the excitement around big resolutions often takes the spotlight, I encourage you to focus on the small, intentional steps that can lead to lasting change and growth.

1. Focus on Personal Development, Not Just Career Milestones
   While reaching career milestones is rewarding, prioritizing personal development can be the key to unlocking your next level of success. Enhancing skills like emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, or time management can create a lasting impact on both your professional and personal life. These areas of growth often ripple into greater confidence, better relationships, and improved performance at work.

   Use January to explore books, podcasts, courses, or networking opportunities that inspire self-growth. Make a list of a few that sound interesting that you can commit to checking out throughout this year—you’ll find that investing in yourself is one of the best strategies for long-term success.

2. Reframe the Idea of "Success"
   If your goals this year involve achieving milestones, it’s easy to view “success” as a checklist of accomplishments. Instead, I’m shifting my focus to meaningful progress. This year, I’m asking myself, “What does true fulfillment in my career look and feel like?” Fulfillment isn’t always tied to a promotion or raise—it could mean enhancing work-life balance, building deeper connections, refining a skill, or finding greater impact and purpose in your work. By prioritizing the feelings and experiences that bring satisfaction, success becomes a reflection of personal growth rather than just external achievements.

3. Assess Your Work Environment
   How does your work environment impact your productivity, creativity, and overall fulfillment? January is the perfect time to pause and ask yourself, “Is this the right place for me to grow?” Reflect on whether your environment truly supports both your professional aspirations and personal well-being. This could mean evaluating your community, your physical workspace, or even your daily habits—like getting out of the house if you work remotely.

   Consider small but meaningful adjustments: improving how you manage work stress, setting boundaries, or exploring flexible options that better align with your goals. It doesn’t always require a major change, like leaving your role; sometimes, it’s about making space for fresh routines, connections, or practices that re-energize and inspire you. Let this month be an invitation to create an environment that helps you thrive throughout the rest of the year.

Love & Life 💘

January is the perfect time to start the year with intention—not just in our personal goals but in how we connect with the ones we love. After a busy December, I’m focusing on nourishing relationships and making small, intentional choices to deepen connection.

1. Start the Year with Clarity: In addition to reflecting on career goals, why not apply the same approach to your relationships? Setting aside time each week for a “Relationship Check-in” can help you and your partner, friends, or family stay aligned and ensure that the year starts off with clear, open communication. Our Free Relationship Meeting Template now has nearly 2 Million views on Instagram! 🤯 We’re excited to launch even more love & life tools in Q1 — Stay tuned!

2. Relationship Goals for 2024: Much like professional goals, relationship goals are worth setting, too! For Cody and I, one goal we have is to embrace more activities outside our comfort zone. Since we’re officially in our wedding planning era, we want to practice getting comfortable being uncomfortable! If you have any fun and quirky out-of-the-box date ideas, send them our way!

3. Intentional Self-Love: As we focus on strengthening our connections with others, it's equally important to nurture our own well-being. One of my intentions for the new year is to deepen my relationship with myself. A small but powerful way I'm doing this is by being fully present when I look in the mirror and intentionally appreciating what I see. It might sound simple or silly, but there's true power in how our subconscious shapes our thoughts and actions. By training ourselves to love and accept what we see, we cultivate a foundation of self-love—because when we love ourselves, we are better able to love and connect with others.

Final Thoughts 💭

♡ January Reflections:

As we step into 2025, take a moment to reflect on the potential this year holds. January offers a fresh slate—a chance to realign, reset, and prioritize what truly matters. While it’s tempting to rush into goal-setting, remember that true growth comes from being intentional with your energy and focus.

Start this year by considering not just what you want to accomplish, but how you want to feel along the way. What daily practices or small shifts will support your well-being, fuel your passions, and build lasting connections? The beauty of this month is that it’s a quiet opportunity to plant the seeds for a fulfilling year ahead.

Trust that the foundation you build now—whether it’s through nourishing habits, mindset shifts, or relationships—will carry you through the months ahead with purpose and clarity. Here’s to a year of intention, bravery, and embracing all that’s to come.

Small wins build big confidence. ✨

Let’s Connect!

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