Happy New Year!
Wow, it was not easy picking my 3 words for 2025! As I have done for the past, I don’t know, maybe 10 years now, I pick words at the beginning of the year to guide me along. It’s a resolution alternative that frankly seems to work better than promising to eat more kale and go to the gym everyday.
Last year, my words were Social, Real and Fit. I wanted to be more social, so I ended a lot of encounters in 2024 with “let’s do coffee” and tried to say Yes to invites whenever possible. I drank a lot of coffee last year! And connected with a lot of people, including some that I had lost touch with and wanted a better connection. It was great and I will continue that habit this year. So hit me up if you want to do coffee sometime 🙂
My second word in 2024, Real, was my intention to be more authentic. I have spent way too many minutes worrying about what people think of me, worrying that I didn’t fit, worrying that I wasn’t good enough. Last year I decided to be more true to myself and let the chips fall. I left the house without make-up. I wore funky clothes that I bought at the consignment store or Goodwill. I spoke my mind more. I tried to be more vulnerable by being more open. It felt good! I still have some work in this area, but I am heading in the right direction.
My 3rd word – Fit – was obviously my intention to exercise and focus on fitness. I did well for the first half of the year, but really dropped the ball the 2nd half. And boy, did I feel that! When you are in those “golden years’ it’s most definitely a move-it or lose-it situation. I did better in December and I am back on track to get into a consistent exercise routine, but the big win here was the appreciation for how important exercise and how much better I feel when I get out there and move.
OK, so this year my words are (drum roll, please)….
TRAIN
ENTERTAIN
NEXT
The first word, Train, was easy. I want to take some classes, specifically an Improv class, maybe Yoga certification (that might be a 2026 thing) and ramp up the fitness. I want to learn some new skills in content creation. So a big learning year but ALSO (I love a word with a double meaning), I want to take a train trip in the Fall. I have started planning it out – head up the coast and visit wineries and go hiking. So far, I am the only one onboard this train, but I would love it if a friend to two wants to join!
The second word, Entertain, also an easy choice that also has a double meaning. It’s an extension of social. I want to host gatherings at my house every month. I have avoided having people over because I feel like I have to be perfect with a perfect house because everyone else has a perfect house and does charcuterie and blah, blah, blah. I am skipping all that self-doubt and insecurity and inviting people over. Hey! Coffee is expensive so it’s a cost saving venture as well! I am also working harder on my stand-up comedy this year so I can get booked more. I’ve been hosting shows and open mics but I need to get out of my comfort zone and in front of new audiences. So that’s Entertain.
The third word was the hardest to choose: Next. This year has a real transition year vibe for me. I am turning 65 so I will be eligible for Medicare (and hey! Don’t send me any Medicare Advantage flyers, I am stocked up, thanks…). This is a big flag for me to start thinking about “What’s next?”. No, I am not quitting real estate, I still have my retirement plan of buying bedazzled velour track suits and selling homes into my 80’s. But I have spent that last 40 years or so working hard, stressing about money and kids, and whatever. It’s time to shift gears.
I want to focus more on things I truly enjoy like, comedy and train trips, and spending time with my friends. I’ve been thinking about what that looks like? Smaller house? An RV? Become a yoga instructor? Write a book? So this year is all about what’s the next chapter look like.
So those are my three words for 2025: Train, Entertain and Next…what are yours?