By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, Ayurveda Practitioner
Ah, here we are the weird, cozy, liminal space between December 22nd and January 7th. It’s that time when the days blend together, you’re unsure if it’s Tuesday or Saturday, and you're existing in a bubble of leftover cookies, stretchy pants, and existential musings about where this year went. No shame, it’s the vibe.
But these two weeks? This is prime time. It’s not just a buffer to the new year; it’s a freaking launch pad for 2025. So, let’s grab the reins of these days, reflect on 2024 like a rock star reflecting on their greatest hits album, declutter our physical and mental closets, and set some badass intentions for what’s coming.
Reflect: 2024, What Even Was That?
First, let’s take a hot second to sit with the chaos, growth, lessons, and wins of 2024. Here’s your journal prompt buffet, pick a few or tackle them all:
1. What were the top 3 “OMG, I did that!” moments of 2024? Write them down, relive them, and let that pride sink in.
2. What were my biggest challenges, and how did I handle them? Be real but give yourself credit for showing up.
3. What (or who) do I need to leave in 2024? Yes, this includes toxic habits, that mountain of clutter in the corner, and maybe Steve from accounting.
4. What am I most grateful for this year? Make this list obnoxiously long. Gratitude is yoga for the soul.
Pro Tip: Light a candle, put on your favorite playlist (I suggest something soulful, but if it’s 80s hair metal, no judgment), and make this reflection session a ritual.
Reset: Declutter Your Life (and Mind)
If you want to bring in the new, you gotta make space for it. Time to Marie Kondo your life, but with less pressure and more laughs. Here’s how:
Physical Declutter:
The 2025 Clean Sweep: Spend an hour tackling one area of your space, your desk, your closet, or that drawer you pretend doesn’t exist. Ask yourself: Do I love this? Do I use this? Does this bring me peace? If not, yeet it into a donation box.
Digital Detox: Unsubscribe, unfollow, and delete. Clear out old emails, declutter your camera roll, and clean up your desktop (because who needs 72 random screenshots from April?).
Mental Declutter:
Brain Dump: Grab your journal and write down everything on your mind, tasks, worries, random ideas. Get it all out so your brain can finally chill.
Yoga for the Overthinker: Try Legs Up the Wall (my all-time fave). It’s restorative, calms the nervous system, and feels like hitting a mental reset button.
Pro Tip: Use this Ayurvedic trick for clearing energy: Burn sage or palo santo, and say out loud, “I release what no longer serves me.”
Realign: Set Goals That Don’t Suck
Goal setting doesn’t have to feel like a corporate retreat. Let’s keep it simple, soulful, and fun:
1. Set Your Theme for 2025: One word or phrase that captures your vibe. (Mine’s “Epic Alignment,” because why not?)
2. Dream Big, Start Small: Write down your top three goals for 2025. Then break each into tiny, manageable steps.
3. Balance Hustle with Flow: Plan your goals around your energy cycles. (Hint: Yoga and intentional movement are epic tools for finding balance here.)
Journaling Prompts for Goal Setting:
What does my dream day in 2025 look like?
What one thing can I start doing in January to move toward my goals?
Who can I lean on for support, and how can I show gratitude for them?
Pro Tip: Pair your journaling with movement. Try a grounding yoga flow or some resistance band work (you know, “I’m With the Band” style). Moving your body helps move ideas, too.
The Yoga & Ayurveda Connection: Clarity Through Movement
Want focus and clarity for your 2025 game plan? Yoga and Ayurveda are like the backstage pass to your best self.
Yoga Poses for Clarity: Try Child’s Pose, Warrior II, and Tree Pose. They’re grounding, focus-building, and they look cool on Instagram.
Ayurvedic Tips for Focus: Sip warm ginger tea, eat grounding foods like sweet potatoes, and go to bed before midnight. (Yes, even this week. Sleep is non-negotiable.)
Pro Tip: End your yoga practice with a mantra for 2025. Try: “I align with purpose, peace, and possibility.”
Social Media Vibes
Want to share your journey this week? Here are some post ideas and hashtags:
1. Post Idea: Share your reflection journal spread or a decluttering before-and-after pic.
Caption: Decluttering my space and my soul. 2025, I’m making room for you.
2. Post Idea: A pic of you in Legs Up the Wall or Tree Pose.
Caption: Resetting my mind, one pose at a time. Yoga for clarity, because 2025 deserves my best self.
3. Post Idea: Your 2025 word or phrase written beautifully (or messily—authenticity is cool).
Caption: My theme for 2025: [insert word]. What’s yours? Let’s crush this year together.
Final Words for 2024
Here’s the deal: The last week of 2024 isn’t about fixing yourself (you’re not broken). It’s about aligning with your best self. So, light that candle, roll out your yoga mat, grab that journal, and make these days count.
Because come January 1st, you’ll already be ahead of the game.
Wicked cool 2025, here we come.
Cheers to a healthy, happy & bright 2025
Leslii
