An alternative to new year goals and resolutions

A kinder, more simple way to enter a new year

Before we dive in, a reminder that tomorrow we kick off with the first of 2025’s journaling club sessions! There’s more information about the club here if you haven’t joined - and if you are coming along, I can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

Happy 2025… I hope you’ve had a gentle start.

Usually I stay up till midnight to see it in, but this time we had a little late lunch to mark it and I lasted till 10pm before briefly waking up as the year changed to wave off my husband as he went to his night shift.

It was a quiet, softer start, but that cuddle and Happy New Year wish still half asleep on the landing was enough, and sums up nicely how much I’d like 2025 to be about the small and simple pleasures, and being present enough to soak them all up!

The new year used to come with a list of things I’d like to change about myself, “eat healthier” and “go to the gym more” were usually my top contenders. Mostly from a place of lacking and not already feeling enough. The societal message that January was a time for self improvement ingrained, piling on the pressure to start the year on a high and “hit the ground running.”

These days, there isn’t an actionable change in sight. If anything, I like to try and carry some of the festive magic from December into January, a slow start remembering there’s so many months in a year and that spring is usually when I feel more energised and ready to go.

One thing I do find supportive as a marker, and as a way to cultivate some excitement and hope, is choosing a word to sum up and guide me through the year.

I’ve done this for the past 5 years, and it’s really kept me accountable with choices I’ve made and helped me think more about action that truly aligns with what I desire most.

My word for the year is presence, and on Thursday I asked if you had a guiding word in the Slower Space chat. It’s become one of my favourite threads in there as over 50 of you shared your words and intentions for the year, so much hope and optimism for 2025!

Your guiding words for 2025

Taken from the Substack chat, here are some of the words that have come up so far - just ❤️ so nice to read through and reflect on…

balance, connection, presence, heart, healing, confidence, quietness, prayer, fun, acceptance, metamorphosis, joy, wellbeing, perspective, intentional, considered, nourishment

Choosing a word for the year

If you haven’t yet chosen a word, don’t panic! I actually think taking your time with it is best. It requires space for reflection, and also tapping into what it is you really want… Here’s some questions that may help you get there

1. What does my heart desire?

2. How do I want to feel?

Try not to overthink your word too, I definitely did this with presence, it felt like it could have been more exciting considering other years I’ve had “magic,” and “hope” but really, it’s the perfect guiding word to remind me of so many things I’d like 2025 to be.

Have you chosen a word yet? If you feel called to, feel free to it in the chat or leave a comment ❤️

p.s. as I mentioned earlier, the journaling club kickstarts again tomorrow! If you’d like to join us for an hour of guided community journaling, become a paid Slower Space subscriber today.

Speak soon,

Jodie x

If you found this post useful or enjoyed it I would be so grateful if you shared it or restacked it. It helps more people find the Slower Space community… Thank you x