Wow, can you believe it? 2024 is almost getting ready to say goodbye! Just yesterday, we were making resolutions and setting intentions for 2024. And here we were already planning for 2025.

As we approach the end of the year, it’s easy to get tangled up in the holiday obligations and the pressure to “finish strong.” There would be many egging you with questions about how well did you perform in 2024. Did you achieve your goals? Did you reach the stars you aimed for in the beginning? Did you win it this year?

Relax. Breathe.

To all those who said yes – Cheers!

To all those who didn’t say anything – Cheers!

I’m here to remind you (and myself!) that the end of one year isn’t the end of the world or the end of our journey toward a more accomplished life. In fact, one thing that 2024 taught me is life should be intentional; success mil hi jati hai (success inevitably follows)! Life keeps giving us opportunities, and 2025 is a beautiful opportunity to start afresh!

I read it somewhere: the sun, the ocean, and that happy dog yapping on the beach looking at the setting sun bidding adieu to the world doesn’t know an old year is ending and a new one is coming in. They look forward to a new day irrespective of the calendar.

So, why shouldn’t you, too?

I have been reflecting a lot lately on what it means to live accomplished, and after months of experiences and numerous lessons later, I have understood that a life lived with intentions and simplicity is a life lived with purpose, and with purpose comes the feeling of accomplishment. This doesn’t mean not giving in to indulgences or living in deprivation. It means not living life just for the sake of it. It means living life with a purpose and making conscious choices about how we spend our time, energy, and resources.

And with minimalism, the journey makes you realise one very important thing: focus on what truly matters and let go of the things that don’t.

But this doesn’t magically stop on December 31st or start on January 1st.

So, as we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025, here’s what you can do instead:

• The “new year, new you” pressure? Let’s gently release it. Phew! Instead of that feeling that we must reinvent ourselves overnight, let’s just focus on small, achievable steps. What’s that thing you can start immediately? What’s that one tiny thing that will help you get started and get you motivated to become more intentional? Maybe it’s a 5-minute meditation, a daily walk in nature, or simply decluttering your workspace before you begin your day.
• Adopt the continuum. Living intentionally isn’t a destination to reach. There will be days when we feel more connected to our intentions than others, and that’s okay! We must remember that progress, not perfection, is the key. Every day is a new chance to make conscious (and new) choices that align with our values.
• Celebrate the small wins. Did you manage to declutter one drawer this week? Did you say no to an obligation that didn’t serve you? Awesome! Celebrate those small victories. They add up to big changes over time.

I am genuinely excited about the possibilities that 2025 holds. It’s a great new opportunity to bring intention, simplicity, and joy into our lives. But I am also choosing to approach it with curiosity, openness, and a gentle reminder to myself that living with a purpose and being more mindful is a continuous practice.

We can take it one step at a time.

And yes, I have minimalism as a guiding path to help me achieve what I have aimed for, but the trick is also to let it flow naturally. Getting motivated is easy, but remaining is hard. So, let’s be kind but intentional with ourselves.

Here’s to wrapping up 2024 with gratitude and stepping into 2025 with intention. Let’s keep it simple, friends!

 

 

 

This blog was written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023 and is on the path toward understanding and accepting the greater meanings of life.