25 things I'm happy to take into 2025

Less ny resolutions and more keep going, you're on the right track with that one.

Recently I read about a note someone kept on their phone titled Good Things are Always Happening to Me and I wanted that to be the theme for my new year resolutions. This idea that there’s good in my life, and in 2025 I’m going to build on it. Usually, I spend the first week of Jan thinking that if I use some felt-tip pens to draw a little mind map I’ll suddenly stop overthinking and discover I love running. Attempting such drastic lifestyle and behaviour changes feels like my resolutions are coming from a place of: you’re not working as you are, and I’m pleased to say I don’t feel that way this year.

I turned thirty last October and a friend told me your thirties are a ‘chance to enjoy all the little life plants you grew and tended to in your twenties.’ How lovely is that! So, these are my seedlings, the things I’m nurturing this year. Some small, some big.

P.S I started writing this in the third person and it felt right so I went with it. Sometimes it’s nice to write yourself a little letter, isn’t it.

P.P.S this post is !! heavy. I started removing them, then decided against it.

1. You found the thing that brings you joy: writing. Do more of it. Be ambitious! You finished your novel. Write your next one. It’s ok to doubt yourself, but know that when you do this you’re blocking the door to possibility. Open it instead. Let the light in. Focus on the process, not the product. Sit at your desk and enjoy it.

2. You have a wonderful sister and you made some life-long memories together in 2024. Go make more. Not just the special ones, but the small ones too. Spend time at her house. Sit at her kitchen counter. Text her about The Traitors. Be her friend. Let her be yours. Always invite her in.

3. You know the names of a few birds (pippit, wagtail, dunnocks). Learn some more. Spend time looking up at the sky and saying: wow!

4. You’ve learned a lot about finance. Well done. Continue to empower yourself. Talk about money more with your friends so you can all make good decisions confidently. Keep moving through this flow chart. Look at your spreadsheet every week. Be proactive with savings. Look ahead. You know you lose control of spending when you’re anxious. Continue being aware of this, it’s the first step.

5. You know your people. What a wonderful thing! You have good friends with big hearts. They have wonderful things to say. Ask questions. Listen to their answers. Spend time being cosy with them. Weekends at the beach. Walks on the Rye. Movies under a blanket.

6. You also have one or two friends, acquaintances, whatever you want to call them, that drain you. Fortunately, you’re learning to be in touch with your instincts. Trust them. Learn how to nurture them. Listen to when you meet someone who makes you feel insecure and sticky inside. Remember this is about them, not you.

7. You live in South London. Love it fiercely! Grow your community there. Cherish your book club. Pop over to the friends who live nearby. Go to your local pub quiz. Perfect the art of the unstructured hang.

8. You know Instagram wastes your time and makes you feel like a toad. That’s good self-awareness. Follow that insight with action. Delete it. Reinstall it if you want to post, but don’t use this as an excuse to keep it on your phone.

9. You own some lovely clothes that make you feel fabulous. Wear them! Your cosy cream gilet with the good pockets, the green-knit tank from Toast you found on Vinted and your soft blue cardigan. Imagine going to your wardrobe and seeing only things that are the absolute best things! This week, put everything that isn’t your favourite under the bed, and if you haven’t missed it in three months take it to the charity shop. Stop holding on to things you love that don’t work for the person you are and the life you live.

10. You have a lush partner. Like, really. He’s funny, kind and bright. You properly fancy him. Kiss more this year. Why are not kissing all the time? I have no idea. Rectify this immediately!

11. You clearly love him very much. Show him more in the ways that he needs to be loved, not the ways you want to be loved. Learn how to do this, then do it for all people you care about.

12. You live near boujee shops. It’s one of the reasons you moved here. Enjoy them! Spend your money! Do not just go to Co-Op when there’s a lovely little cheese shop right there. Go in, have a chat, eat all the free samples. Yes, it’s expensive but what do you earn money for if not making cacio e pepe with pecorino from Le Mons!! Go and fondle the tomatoes outside Brothers Greengrocers more often too. Experience London like a neighbourhood. Treat yourself.

13. You had a few driving lessons last year. Pass your test. Like seriously, you should really do it now. If you don’t want to do it purely because it’ll be useful, do it to prove to yourself that you can still learn new skills.

14. You have posh skincare now. Well done, you’re finally an adult. 2024 was the year you asked AI to create a personalised skincare plan and wow, that shit worked. Keep it up, girl.

15. You’re silly, don’t be afraid to act it. Do more weird voices. Maybe some wrestling.

16. You’re serious too, don’t be afraid to really care about your work. It’s ok to take yourself seriously sometimes.

17. You bought these cute jars. Make overnight oats on Mondays. Chuck in chia seeds, blueberries and squeezy peanut butter. Build the small, healthy habits you can and feel free to enjoy the pizza, pasta, pistachio butter when you crave it.

18. Your words of the year were once ‘stability’ and ‘grounding’. Your day job has provided you with financial security and a weekly routine. Feel fortunate for that. Stack good habits on top of this. An audiobook on your commute. A weekly lunch with someone who inspires you. Getting off a stop early to walk that extra bit.

19. You have some gorge stones. Collect more. Take the time to slow down and look beneath your feet. The highlight of 2024 was an antler found in Scotland and looking at it on your dresser every morning makes you happy. You didn’t buy it and it’s the best thing you own. This year… less clutter, less stuff. Unless the stuff is stones or shells in which case MORE!

20. Live your life like it’s a movie. You have all the things you once wanted. Romanticise things. Enjoy putting your key in the door you painted green. Keep winter tulips on the desk. Swim on cold, bright days.

21. You wrote The Tidal Year and feel proud of it. Don’t leave it behind just yet, you’re not done. Write your script.

22. You have a Soho Theatre membership and it’s the best gift you’ve ever received. Go often. Be open to all the shows, not just the ones you know you’ll like. Take a friend, have a drink, put your hands in a bag of jalapeño and dill crisps and laugh your head off.

23. You have lovely pens, and kind thoughts. Write more letters to your friends.

24. You wrote this list. It’s nice. Write more lists. Write more in general. Check in with yourself often. More intention. More purpose. More thinking. Less scrolling.

25. You have a good thing going on Substack. Keep it up. Weekly writing clears the cobwebs. A diary has always made you feel clearer, better, less like there’s a tornado inside your head. Connection is the thing. Cultivate it.