Less action. More connection.
Less busyness. More joy.
Less stress. More life.

Chances are, that rhythm will change soon. And maybe, deep down, you’re already asking yourself: How can I hold on to these moments of peace, joy, and meaning for just a little longer? How can I keep these feelings alive even as life speeds up again?

I used to dread the Monday after New Year’s break. The slow time felt like it vanished overnight, and the pressure of the daily grind took over. The endless cycle of 9-to-5, meetings, emails, and deadlines - it felt like I had no choice.

But then something shifted. I realized I did have a choice.

I could choose to look at my life differently. Instead of just going through the motions, I could figure out what mattered most to me - and align my days around those things.

That realization was powerful. It felt like I’d opened a door I didn’t even know existed.

But figuring out what I wanted wasn’t easy. Maybe you’ve felt that too - like knowing what you don’t want is much clearer than knowing what you do want. That’s where I started. I let myself dream, even if it felt unrealistic at first.

I asked myself questions like:

What would my dream day feel like?
What moments made me happiest over the holidays?
What do I want to say “yes” to, this year - and what do I want to leave behind?

I also worked with my coach to get clear on my personal values. Values are like a compass - they guide you toward what’s meaningful. Once I clarified my values, I could decide where to focus.

To keep things simple, I didn’t try to change everything at once. I quickly reviewed all areas of my life and picked one to work on - just for the next 3 to 6 months. I figured, if I could make even one part of my life feel more aligned with what I wanted, it would ripple into the rest.

And you know what? It worked.

I’ve done this process again and again over the last six years. My values have stayed steady, but what I want? That keeps evolving. And that’s the beauty of it - life changes, and so do we.

So, what about you?

What do you want this year?

What’s important to you?

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a simple way forward:

Reflect on what brought you joy over the past few weeks. Write it down. Even small moments matter.
Identify what you don’t want to carry forward. Is it a habit? A belief? A part of your routine? Let it go.
Choose one life area to focus on. Is it your health, relationships, career, or something else? Start small and give yourself permission to experiment.

Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out at once. The first step is just listening to yourself - your hopes, your needs, your dreams.

This year, don’t just let life happen to you. Make it yours.

Rooting for you in 2025 and beyond,

Carmen

Ways I can help you:

Worries Be Gone! - make worries disappear, one by one, with this powerful approach. Download the free guide here.
Say NO with Confidence and Ease - get inspiration on how to politely and firmly decline requests that are not aligned with your values or priorities. Download the free document here.
Premium 1-1 Coaching - for mid career professionals who struggle with overwhelm, insecurities and a job they don’t love, but they want a confident, stress-free life. Email me “premium” and I’ll get you details.