Thoughts Heading Into 2025
Ah, the end of the year. The holiday chaos is over and it’s time to chill for a bit. Sometimes these last few days of the year can feel just as chaotic as the holiday prelude though. Making checklists, buying new planners, listing New Year’s resolutions, crafting lofty plans, and committing to the “new year new me” of it all.
Regardless of your approach, it’s important — nay crucial — to manage your mind as we turn this corner together. To reflect not just on what to do, but on how to think.
Thoughts Heading Into 2025
January used to be my favorite month of the year. I dove straight into the new year with a brand new planner, 12 colored pens (a specific color for each category of my life, obviously), lengthy to-do lists, all the resolutions, and loads of “best year ever!” self-improvement energy. For much of my life, the New Year vibe was my entire personality.
Despite all of that positive excitement, I often encountered a darker side of the new year energy, manifesting in my mind. You see, in all of that feverish planning I’d put an enormous amount of pressure on myself to achieve all the things and to obtain perfection and control in the process. And that almost always led to disappointment.
For three years now, I’ve been following a beautiful human named Kara Loewentheil via her podcast Unf*ck Your Brain. Kara is a Yale & Harvard educated former lawyer who has devoted her life to helping women manage our thoughts and control our actions amidst a contradictory world. Her research into the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions and her thought work practices have been transformative in my life.
I couldn’t possibly cover all her work here — nor could I do it justice if I tried. But one concept she talks about regularly is the idea of the “perfectionist fantasy.” It’s exactly what it sounds like. Achieving perfection isn’t possible, and when we subconsciously expect to obtain perfection, we’ll always always be disappointed when we cannot, fueling a downward spiral in our thoughts.
I mean, duh nobody’s perfect. But for me, realizing the thoughts of perfectionism were both subconscious and based in fantasy triggered a revelation. I could then see that every January I’d habitually manufacture expectations of perfection. And then when perfection wasn’t attained, I’d berate myself straight into another self-improvement frenzy, and the cycle continued.
The realization was gutting. I love that New Year feeling. It’s a source of positive energy — light and warmth despite the dark, cold weather outside. I want that hopeful spirit to set me up for success, not entrap me in premeditated disappointments. How could I use that energy better?
So, after a few years of cognitive work, I’ve found that it’s best for me to spend the end of December reflecting honestly rather than planning furiously. Breathing in graceful, self-loving thoughts instead of rigid, color-coordinated expectations is healthier for me. I still enter each new year with refreshed optimism, but prioritizing grace for myself has made a huge difference.
What does all this have to do with money? Well, a lot.
Building on the concepts I learned from Loewentheil, how we think about money affects how we feel about money. And how we feel about money directly impacts our actions with it. To top that off, money infiltrates our lives; it’s imperative to supporting us. It is highly emotional, deeply psychological, and utterly unavoidable. So shouldn’t our thoughts about money be healthy and balanced so our actions follow suit?
Today, as we embrace the lull of the season, before channeling those energy reserves into a fresh start, let’s reflect on a few positive money thoughts to help us embrace our money in 2025.
1. Money is a tool, not the goal.
Instead of viewing money as the ultimate goal, start to view it as a resource that helps you build the life you want. This mindset shifts your focus from accumulating wealth to using it intentionally — whether for security, experiences, or helping others.
2. Spending money won’t be perfect, but it can be mindful.
Instead of striving for flawless decisions, focus on making intentional ones that align with your values and priorities. A mindful approach means pausing to consider whether a purchase adds value to your life or brings you closer to your goals, rather than making impulsive choices out of habit or emotion. It’s about being present and aware, recognizing that occasional mistakes or indulgences are not failures, just part of the journey. Embracing mindfulness can create a balance between enjoying your money and using it responsibly.
3. Abundance is cultivated, not accidental.
Adopt a mindset of abundance by recognizing that wealth grows through consistent effort, learning, and gratitude. This perspective encourages you to seek opportunities, build skills, and maintain optimism, even when faced with financial challenges.
As we close out the year and prepare for the next, remember that your relationship with money is just that — a relationship. It evolves with your mindset, habits, and the grace you extend to yourself along the way. By viewing money as a tool, embracing mindful spending, and cultivating an abundant mindset, you can approach 2025 with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Let this be the year you focus not just on what you do with your money, but on how you think about it. Because when your thoughts about money are healthy and balanced, they create the foundation for a more fulfilling and financially secure life.
Happy New Year, my friend.