Dynamic and intentional ways
2025 in review
I feel aligned to a rebirth during Spring, when plants that lay dormant all winter start to emerge. Green leaves start to grow from seemingly barren trees. A time to start prepping seedlings for the garden ahead of the last frost. A day that is coming soon enough…
I do not particularly connect to the Gregorian calendar start to the new year. The resolutions and big expectations feel fabricated and inauthentic. It feels intimidating and lofty to make these grand changes for a day or a week, knowing that big things and worthwhile projects can take time. I believe in miracles, yet during the day-to-day, I am more interested in ways that are sustainable and lasting. I do not have big resolutions that must be accomplished this year, I have intention and direction.
During New Years I honor my family’s traditions:
Eating foods for prosperity and health—collard greens, black eye peas
Writing down a summary of the year on December 31st, this typically includes the weather for the day, current location, proceeded by a brief reflection of the past year’s highlights (politics, life, love, achievements). This is only meant to be seen by the writer. My grandma has been the steward of all our letters for decades.
I also honor my own traditions, treating January 1st like a new moon and doing all the things I hope to continue in the new year: moving, getting fresh air, reading, and writing. I deep clean and reset my space. I mostly tend to myself and soak up the quiet moments without e-mails and meetings.
In the deep winter, to me, January 1 is a reminder that there is still work to be done.
2025 was full, affirming, and sweet. At the same time, I was met with challenges, experienced frustrations, and moments that tried to interrupt my flow. The year was about embracing it all and finding ways to move forward.
I was thankful to start the year abroad, exploring souks and soaking up the Arabian sun. I enjoyed my cadence when I returned stateside, too. I paused travel for three months and was in deep reflection. I gardened and cooked. Summer came with travel and unexpected opportunities. Through it all, my time was anchored around art, architecture, and community.
A week into 2026, I think it is still important to process the year at your own pace. The goals and intentions will be there.
Have you processed all that you are and have been through?
I am in awe of all that transpired.
Some questions that I thought about as I prepared my year in review:
How do I f e e l?
What new things did I try?
What places did I visit for the first time?
Was there a place I returned to?
Was there a feeling I want to experience again?
Who did I meet and connect with?
Whose connections lingers into 2026?
What relationships ran its course?
What was I meant to learn in 2025?
What worked well or was surprising?
What needs restructuring?
Now let’s get into it!
