A Fresh Start: How I’m Setting the Tone for 2025

A Fresh Start: How I’m Setting the Tone for 2025

January is here, and with it, the fresh promise of a new year. But let me be honest: it doesn’t exactly feel like I’m floating on a cloud of rest and renewal. Our holiday was packed with family, laughter, and late nights—not exactly a recharge. Still, as 2025 begins to unfold, I find myself excited for what’s ahead.

The first week of January always reminds me of when River and London head back to school after their holidays. Watching them get ready is like a miniature masterclass in fresh starts. They’ve just spent weeks running around, staying up late, and generally reveling in freedom, but when it’s time to get back to routine, there’s a noticeable shift.

A few days before school started, we went shopping for stationery—new pencil cases, boxes, and rulers that feel shiny and full of potential. We spent time preparing, mentally easing them back into the rhythm of learning and structure. And then, there’s that first morning when they head out the door with their school bags slung over their shoulders, looking a little sleepy but also kind of excited.

Watching them reminded me that this is exactly how we should approach our work each year.

The Beauty of a Fresh Start

2024 was an incredible year in so many ways—a year of growth and learning—but it wasn’t without its struggles. Running two businesses, Time Photography and Creative Barn, taught me some tough lessons. There were moments of overlapping schedules, over-promoting, and under-preparing. Some weeks felt like a mad dash just to keep up, while others felt like we weren’t doing enough.

So, as I stepped into 2025, I knew I wanted something different. Like River and London preparing for school, I wanted to start with a clean slate.

The first thing I did? I cleaned.

I’m talking about everything: my office, my drawers, my hard drive, and even my Dropbox. Yes, the mammoth task of organizing Dropbox is still ongoing, but it already feels lighter. I even went as far as creating a new desktop wallpaper—just for a fresh visual reminder.

There’s something almost therapeutic about decluttering. Sorting through the mess clears your space and your mind. It’s like drawing a line in the sand between the chaos of last year and the possibilities of this one.

Proactive, Not Reactive

Another thing I’ve realised is that consistency doesn’t just happen. It’s not about working harder or filling every waking moment with productivity—it’s about being proactive.

This year, I’m committed to tackling my creative work first thing in the morning when my energy and focus are sharpest. That means writing blog posts, brainstorming ideas, or crafting new products before I dive into emails or put out fires.

Reactive work—the emails, troubleshooting, and unexpected problems—can wait until later in the day. It will always be there. But creativity? It needs space to thrive, and I’m learning to protect that space fiercely.

Saying No to Say Yes

One of my biggest takeaways from 2024 is the importance of saying no. No to overloading my schedule. No to commitments that drain rather than energize. No to things that don’t align with my goals or the needs of my family.

Saying no isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. It creates room to say yes—to rest, to focused work, and to the things that truly matter.

The Content Plan That’s Saving My Sanity

Last year, I often posted on the fly, scrambling to create content when a deadline loomed. This year, I’m building a better system. Here’s the plan:

  1. Start with a Blog Post: This is the “home” for my content, where ideas can live long after an Instagram post fades into the abyss.
  2. Build from There: I’ll repurpose the blog into Instagram captions, Stories, newsletters, and Facebook posts.
  3. Schedule in Advance: Instead of scrambling, I’m scheduling content at least two weeks ahead using Meta Business Suite.

This approach feels sustainable—like I’m setting myself up for consistency, not burnout.

Let’s Craft the Year We Want

As I sit here, sipping coffee at my freshly organised desk, I feel hopeful. Not because I have everything figured out, but because I’m starting with intention.

Whether it’s a new school term or a new year, fresh starts are a gift. They remind us that we can pause, recalibrate, and approach things differently.

Here’s to a year of smart planning, consistent effort, and making every blow count.

What’s one small thing you can do today to set the tone for 2025? Clean your desk? Plan your week? Say no to one thing that doesn’t serve you?

Whatever it is, start now. May your 2025 be all you wish it to be!

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