At the beginning of 2024 you couldn’t have convinced me at how our story would unfold. I had a few pretty epic trips planned; Phoenix to visit my sister, Atlanta to visit my husband’s sister, London to see Taylor Swift, a European girls trip in September and Oceans Calling music festival immediately following. However, going to Hawaii, moving back to Pennsylvania, and Tony retiring from the Air Force was not on my bingo card.

So how do you follow up to one of the most epic years of your life?

You don’t. It’s really that simple. In life, I’ve learned, we go through varying phases; the highs and lows if you will. Just like I don’t expect a really shitty year to repeat itself, nor do I have expectations that 2025 will rise to the occasion. I treat each new year as a clean slate with new expectations, goals and priorities. Our daily lives shape which direction we travel in the future.

At the start of 2024, I set priorities that aligned with my needs following a really tough year. I specifically said in my new year reel, “I’m not waiting to see what 2024 will provide. I am creating it. More travel. More time. More family. More fun. More books. More peace.”

The result? I traveled the most I ever have in one year, collecting core memories with the greatest humans. I read 25 books, which is 19 more books than the year before. We spent quality time with all of our family members throughout the year, which is such a rare occurrence when we all live in different states. I’m currently sitting in our home office we painted yesterday as Tony hangs pictures, feeling more at peace with the life we continue to create for our little family than I could have ever dreamed of.

So 2025, what are we taking on this year?

We are taking time to explore our new hometown and all that we moved here for. We are focused on replenishing our savings, financially building our future. I am committed to writing consistently on my blog, enjoying the process of discovering what this outlet will expose within me. I am staying connected to my friends, making time to embrace new ones while continuing to make memories with the ones who know me best. I am still reading books – 25 in 2025. We will always travel, but this year will be focused more on seeing our people than new places.

I love a blank page. A new start. There is something in the challenge of starting over and redefining what could be. However, over the years, I’ve learned that while my goals or priorities will change; where I live or what I am doing professionally, I am still the same me. I can change my habits or my routines, but the core of who I am as a person will always remain.

I will start my days with a workout, coffee and a high protein breakfast, unless there is brunch involved, then give me all the french toast. I will combat my anxieties with exercise, cleaning (my toxic trait), writing and getting outside. I will hold the door for the person behind me and put away my cart at the grocery store, rain or shine. I will leave kitchen cabinet doors open on occasion and continue to be terrible at doing laundry in a reasonable amount of time. I’ll go through the rollercoaster of parenting emotions when I feel like I’ve got it all figured out and how I’m simultaneously ruining their lives.

I might eat less sugar this year, drink more water and stay more consistent on what I want to accomplish, but at the end of the day; its a new year, same me.

So as you create your own set of goals and redirection for the new year, I want to serve as a reminder that you don’t have to change who you are to change what you focus on. We can’t actually do it all. You can’t start a business, read 100 books, be super fit, become a vegan, get your nails done, travel the world, scroll TikTok endlessly, have girls nights, date nights and spend quality time with your family. It’s exhausting. We might see all these things from all kinds of people all in one sitting so it feels like we have to do all those things too. Remember, that each person has made sacrifices to do the one or two things that are being highlighted on your social media feed. No one is doing it all, we’re just seeing it all.

This was an ah-ha moment of me. If you’re reading 100 books, that’s amazing! I’m reading 25 over or under a few. If you’re running a marathon this year, I can’t wait to cheer you on! That’s not in the cards for me this year, I’m focusing on consistent movement and maybe working distance back into my routine. Completing a Whole 30 or dry January? You’ve got this! I’m avoiding added sugar and some unrefined carbs because of inflammation I’m experiencing but don’t feel the need to do a complete elimination diet. You’re going to Ireland this year? Ahhh I can’t wait to get all the notes from your trip for the future. This year, we’re enjoying our hometown, our new home and visiting family and friends.

It’s so easy to absorb other people’s lives in today’s world and imagine them being our own. It’s a new year, there are all kinds of opinions of what our lives should look like, but the only one you should listen to is your own.

New year, same me, same you.

Thanks for stopping in! Let’s stay connected and see the world together!