The decorations and gifts are put away, the twinkle lights are down, and just like that, the new year is underway.

I do love the new year.

It’s like standing at the top of a snowy hill, with no footprints marring the pristine whiteness.

It’s just waiting for me to walk on it or make snow angels or snowmen or snow forts.

Anything is possible.

Do you feel the same about the new year?

But before leaving any snowshoe prints, maybe take a moment to reflect on the last time you stared down that untouched snow hill.

What worked?

What didn’t?

What do you want to do differently this time?

This year?

I’ve been rereading a favorite book called Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran.

In essay number 25, Obey the Laws, she talks about life laws, one of which is “No action is lost.”

This means that everything you’ve done up to this point—all the hard stuff, the easy stuff, the fun stuff, the stuff that “didn’t work,” the stuff that did—was worth doing.

Whatever the outcome, it led you to this point today.

You learn from everything.

Everything we do is significant and “even a small act can have a wide ripple effect.”

Allow yourself to build on your efforts from last year to make 2025 even better.

What do you think about having a word of the year?

I’ve never done that, but I’m thinking it might be helpful.

I have three words that I’m trying to choose from: Refinement or Enchantment or Enough.

The idea, of course, is for the word to give your year some intention and focus.

You’re supposed to display the word where you will see it often.

That way, you’re more likely to remember your hopes for the year, and how you intend to accomplish them.

Now the resolutions.

I still set resolutions or goals.

I know some people don’t.

But the idea of spinning into the new year without a plan is worrisome.

For accountability, I’ll share some of my goals.

I have three for writing.

The first is to finish revising one of my middle grade novels.

The next is to finish revising another of my MG novels.

Then I want to complete a first draft of a brand-new novel I’ve been pondering.

That being said, I just spoke to my friend and writing coach, Suzanne Lieurance, who gave me a whole new way of looking at my writing.

Now I’m even more energized and excited.

Because of that, my writing goals will likely change.

But since I want to finish this post today and not wait until I’ve thought everything through, I’m sticking with those writing goals for now.

I also want to learn to juggle.

And I don’t mean projects or problems.

I want to juggle actual balls or bean bags or whatever jugglers juggle.

And here’s something a lot of us should consider as we forge ahead: Stop speaking negatively to yourself.

The words we speak to ourselves carry much more weight than we think.

Why burden ourselves with negativity?

It’s just as easy to say something is possible than something isn’t possible.

In fact, it’s two letters less—so even easier.

We need to learn and actually use uplifting self-talk.

Check out writebythesea.com for some great posts about this—especially for writers, but the ideas work for anyone.

So I hope you’re inspired to make your imprint on that fresh snow.

Strap on some snowshoes, leave your mark on 2025 and have fun.

Until next week,

~ Gail

P.S. I won’t have a countdown this year because some of you found it depressing. Sorry about that.

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