It’s the start of a new year, and everywhere I look, I see posts, ads, and conversations about New Year’s resolutions. “New Year, New You,” they say. Set bigger goals. Dream higher. Be better. The pressure feels overwhelming. As a new mom and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that this relentless chase for a “better” version of myself isn’t just exhausting; it’s also unsustainable.
This year, I’m making a bold decision: I’m ditching the pressure to make a New Year’s resolution. I have to be honest; I have never been a huge fan of them anyway. I always figured why not just make a change when I feel inspired rather than waiting for an arbitrary day on the calendar! But this year it feels even more important to ditch this idea. In 2025, I’m choosing to celebrate the things that make me who I am, not who I think I should be. It’s a shift that feels more authentic, more aligned with my values, and—most importantly—more sustainable for the life I’m building.
Becoming a mom has taught me a lot about resilience, patience, and the beauty of imperfection. It’s also taught me how little control I actually have over so many things – and that’s something I have kicked and fought to accept if I’m being honest! But here we are…babies don’t care about your schedule, your to-do list, or your carefully laid plans. They just need you—your love, your presence, your care. And in showing up for my baby, I’ve learned to show up for myself in a new way.
Instead of chasing a “better” me, I’ve started celebrating the woman I already am. I’ve learned to acknowledge the small victories: keeping my business running while navigating motherhood, showing up for my clients with empathy and purpose, making time for a 10-minute walk when that’s all I can manage. These things matter. They make me who I am, and they deserve to be honored.
Letting Go of the "Shoulds"
For so long, I’ve carried around a mental list of all the things I “should” be doing. I should be scaling my business faster. I should be spending more quality time with my baby. I should be working out more, eating cleaner, reading more books, being more productive. The “shoulds” never end, and they never bring joy.
This year, I’m letting go of the “shoulds.” Instead, I’m asking myself:
What feels good right now?
What aligns with my values and priorities in this season of life?
What brings me joy, fulfillment, and peace?
For example, instead of feeling guilty about not waking up at 5 a.m. to work, I’m honoring the fact that my baby’s unpredictable sleep schedule means I need rest whenever I can get it. Instead of pushing myself to scale my business at lightning speed, I’m celebrating the incredible clients I already have and the meaningful work we’re doing together. Instead of striving for perfection, I’m embracing progress, however small it may seem.
Maybe this blog is hitting home for you too? If so, here are a few tips/tricks that I am trying to channel this year:
1. Reflect on Your Wins
Take a moment to look back on the past year and write down your accomplishments. These don’t have to be massive milestones; even small victories count. Did you try something new? Overcome a challenge? Show kindness to yourself or others? Celebrate those moments.
2. Focus on What You Value
Instead of setting arbitrary goals, identify your core values. For me, it’s connection, authenticity, and impact. By focusing on these values, I can make choices that feel aligned and meaningful, rather than chasing external validation.
3. Practice Gratitude
Each day, take a moment to acknowledge something you’re grateful for about yourself. Maybe it’s your resilience, your creativity, or your ability to make someone smile. Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have.
4. Set Intentions, Not Goals
If you’re someone who enjoys structure, try setting intentions instead of resolutions. Intentions are less rigid and more focused on how you want to feel or show up in the world. For example, instead of “I will work out five times a week,” you might set the intention to “move my body in ways that feel good.”
5. Surround Yourself with Support
Share your journey with people who uplift and celebrate you. For me, that’s been my family, close friends, and even some of my clients. They remind me that I’m already enough, just as I am.
What This Means for My Business
As a career coach, I’ve always encouraged my clients to define success on their own terms. But stepping into this new season of life has deepened that message for me.
My schedule in 2025 is going to look a little different. I am going to be working with clients for longer hours Mondays and Saturdays. My shorter days in the office will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Special shoutout to my husband, Jackson, and our amazing nanny, Lily, for helping me balance it all! Thursdays and Fridays will be devoted to my son and Sundays are for the family. Is this schedule the end all be all? No, but for now this is what being successful is going to look like for me.
I would be lying if I told you this change in schedule was easy to make. I wrestled with expectations from myself, from “others” (I still don’t know who those people are), and from my own lifelong definition of success. I got there in the end, but it was a JOURNEY. If you’re feeling the weight of expectations—whether they’re coming from society, your workplace, or your own mind—know that you have permission to let them go. You don’t need to prove your worth, you are enough.
This year, I’ve decided I’m not chasing a “new me.” I’m celebrating the me that exists right now: a new mom, a passionate entrepreneur, a woman who’s learning to give herself grace. It’s not always easy, but it feels right. And let’s be honest, this is going to be a journey that takes me some time to find what feels balanced for me.
So, here’s my challenge to you: As you step into this new year, take a moment to celebrate yourself. Reflect on what makes you unique, what you’ve overcome, and how far you’ve come. Let go of the “shoulds” and embrace the joy of simply being you. Because who you are is already worth celebrating.
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