Happy New Year!

It’s wild to say “2025.” Back in 1999, as we prepared for Y2K and imagined computers crashing or taking over, who could have predicted how quickly we’d arrive here? Yet, here we are—starting a new year, embracing fresh opportunities, and even being friendly with AI!

This past year, I prioritized getting to know myself better. I discovered I’m a bear chronotype, a sage female archetype, and a manifesting generator. Everything about me thrives on natural cycles—the endings and beginnings that define each season. I live for these moments: the markers, the opportunities to refresh.

So, I leaned fully into this cycle shift the moment December arrived. I reflected on my wins and losses from 2024, set goals for 2025, and even made a digital vision board to help manifest my dreams. Now, I’m sharing the process with you—because, you know, I’m a sage.

First, Let’s Reflect on the Past Year

Time flies. Without reflection, it’s easy to feel stagnant—either because we’ve been standing still or because we’re moving so fast that we forget to acknowledge our progress. Reflecting on the past year helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, and prepare for the future.

The easiest way? My Instagram feed. Like many of us, I use Instagram as a highlight reel, posting every exciting event, every achievement, every braggable moment. Scrolling through my feed jogs my memory of wins I might otherwise forget.

Then, I think about my challenges. While we don’t typically post those on social media, they tend to stick with us. I scan my calendar or notes from therapy sessions to identify the tough moments and jot them down.

After that, I organize it all in my Notes app:

Wins: Gathered from my Instagram feed or journaled highlights.
Challenges: Sourced from reflection and therapy notes.
Goals Check-In: Compare both lists to my goals for the year. I mark wins that align with my goals with an asterisk and note where challenges may have set me back with a dash.

And then, I sit with it. I don’t discuss them out loud. I don’t journal about them. I don’t post about them. I just leave the Note there.

At the end of December, I review this reflection during a special dinner date—solo in my single days, and now with Eddie. Over appetizers and desserts, I celebrate my wins, acknowledge my growth, and toast to the opportunities ahead.

In 2024, my wins included publishing a book, speaking engagements, moving into a new home, and celebrating my daughter’s 10th birthday. My challenges included the loss of my father, financial strain, and a tough professional transition. Both lists remind me how much I’ve grown.

Next, We Set Goals for the Year Ahead

In my younger years, I set resolutions. But the idea never sat well with me. Resolutions always felt like trying to change something “wrong” about myself. Instead, I focus on goals—concrete steps to make my life closer to what I envision.

I set one broad goal for each domain – only one because I want to be realistic. And we can realistically only focus on 3-5 goals at a time.

Professional
Personal
Financial
Spiritual
Social Relationships

From there, I break each broad goal into quarterly mini-goals and, when needed, monthly tasks. The mini-goals follow the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). For example:

Broad Goal: Develop a spiritual routine.
Mini-Goals:

January: Daily Bible reading (5 chapters).
February: Add morning prayer.
March: Begin weekly meditation (5–10 minutes).

Breaking goals down into actionable steps keeps me accountable and ensures progress throughout the year.

Then, Start Manifesting with a Digital Vision Board

Now, as mentioned, I put my mini-goals on my calendar. So I have reminders and accountability. But nothing reminds you of the life you’re manifesting for yourself like a visual. A vision board clarifies your goals and keeps them visible. Seeing your aspirations daily helps focus your energy and intentions toward achieving them.

I prefer digital boards because they’re easy to update and accessible everywhere. Using Canva, I gather images that resonate with my goals—black women, Los Angeles settings, and styles that feel authentic to me. I organize them into sections for each goal domain and save the board as my laptop and tablet wallpaper for daily inspiration.

(Pro tip: Watch my Instagram reel this week to see my process in action!)

Now, It's Your Turn

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about setting your goals for 2025, don’t be. Here’s a simple roadmap to get started:

Reflect:

Scroll through your photos or Instagram feed to recall your wins.
Think back on your challenges and jot them down.
Compare both lists to your 2024 goals. Where did you succeed? What can you improve?

Set Goals:

Choose one broad goal for each domain of your life (e.g., personal, professional).
Break those into quarterly mini-goals. Make them SMART: specific, measurable, and actionable.
Add those goals to your calendar for accountability.

Create a Vision Board:

Use Canva, Pinterest, or Google Slides to design your board.
Select images that resonate with you and represent your goals.
Save it as your phone or computer wallpaper for daily inspiration.

Let’s Go, 2025!

We only get one life. Let’s live it fully—not just dreaming about the life we want, but actively working toward it. Reflection, goal-setting, and manifestation are the tools that help us bridge that gap.

2024 was insightful and transformative for me, and I can’t wait to build on that foundation in 2025. What about you?

Tag me when you finish your vision board—I’d love to see how you’re manifesting your dreams. Cheers to new beginnings and making this your best year yet!