Building a Purposeful 2025, My Way!

As we step into February, I feel renewed and ready to embrace the challenges and joys that 2025 has in store. January has been my much-needed pause—a time to reflect, readjust, and remind myself that success isn’t just about professional milestones. It’s also about how I nurture myself, care for those I love, and interact meaningfully with the world around me—on my own time.

May this inspire all of us to be gentler with ourselves and remember: there’s always time to reset and bloom. Not everyone follows the same timeline or pace—there’s no perfect formula we all need to follow.

January Reset

January has always carried a certain symbolism—a blank page where endless possibilities meet the wisdom of past lessons. Growing up, life followed a clear cycle: the school year, big family gatherings, and even the rhythm of the four seasons provided structure.

Now, living in New York’s perpetual rush—with its long winters and a corporate world driven by KPIs instead of seasons—the January 1st "reset" has lost some of its traditional meaning. Responsibilities take over, and the timing of recovery and reset fluctuates. And that’s okay, too.

Still, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of this season for evaluation, recovery, and realignment. But this year, I intentionally stepped away from the social pressure of New Year’s resolutions, vision boards, and setting plans in motion without fully processing the major year I just had. Instead, I gave myself permission to rest. January became my time to nurture my body, mind, and spirit—to value a pause that’s more necessary now than ever. The clarity of where I’m heading will follow.

Recovery and Detox from 2024

Feeling drained and rushed is no way to move forward. Before looking ahead, I needed to reflect on the year that just passed. 2024 was a mix of challenges and opportunities—a constant balancing act between professional growth and personal well-being. Like many immigrant women, I felt the pressure to excel in my career while planning for the future, navigating the realities of being in my late thirties, and staying present and true to myself in the process.

During January, I created space to assess what worked and what didn’t. I evaluated my experiences through the lens of happiness and embraced the evolution of things. I asked myself:

Reflecting on 2024:

What am I most grateful for?
What challenges turned out to be blessings in disguise?
What habits or routines truly served me?
Did I align my actions with my purpose and passions?
Were there missed opportunities I can learn from?
When did fear or doubt influence my decisions, and how can I move past them?
Which situations and relationships brought me love, support, and joy?

Vision for 2025:

What does happiness mean to me in 2025?
What limiting beliefs or habits should I leave behind in 2024?
How can I let go of regrets and move forward with kindness toward myself?
How can I protect my time, energy, and peace?
How can I find joy in the present moment, no matter the challenges?
What triggers my unhappiness, and how can I address those triggers constructively?
How do I want to positively impact others?
What story do I want to tell about myself by the end of 2025?

These questions aren’t for self-criticism but for creating clarity and intention. They’re like an emotional and mental audit, helping me step into the new year with purpose. My reflection process will continue until my birthday in early March—because just when I think I have things figured out, birthday nostalgia adds another layer of thoughts and plans to the mix. So now, I fully embrace my first quarter of the year as an evolving and deep long reset.

Navigating a Changing World

The world is moving fast, and this year is no exception. Business is back to pre-COVID levels, work demands are high, and as a Mexican woman, I sometimes feel like I have to work twice as hard just to be seen and valued. But instead of letting that pressure consume me, I’ve made it a habit to put myself in situations that challenge me daily—forcing myself to step outside my comfort zone, even when it feels intimidating. And you know what? Now, I can proudly say that I’m comfortable being uncomfortable. The moments that used to make me shut down or panic a few months ago? I face them head-on, embracing the discomfort instead of running from it.

But I’ve learned that I can’t give my best if I don’t prioritize myself first. We need to live intentionally and consciously. Part of this process means setting boundaries, adjusting expectations, and remembering that my culture, resilience, and authenticity are my greatest strengths.

Listen to Your Body – Priorities: Food, Sleep, and Moving my body daily

For the longest time, I embraced food “the Mexican way”—late-night feasts, indulgent weekends, and an anything-goes approach to meals. But I thrive on routine, so keeping a steady schedule for meals, sleep, and exercise gives me the structure I need to accomplish my daily goals.

Nurturing Food: I’m focusing on fresh, natural foods that fuel me. Vibrant seasonal vegetables, green juices, and comforting soups like caldo tlalpeño help me detox without losing the flavors that connect me to my roots.

Quality Sleep: I’ve realized how essential rest is. Without it, my mood and productivity suffer. This year, I’m committing to at least eight solid hours of sleep each night.

Mindful Movement: It’s not about extremes—it’s about moving in ways that bring me joy, with my Apple Watch low-key judging me every time I don’t close those three rings. Accountability or passive-aggressive motivation? ...It works! HIIT classes are my obsession, and dancing—deeply rooted in my culture—remains my favorite way to stay social and active. I also recharge with winter walks in nature, breathing in the crisp air

Dry Winter: My Take on Dry January

This year, I embraced “Dry January” with my twist—80 days alcohol-free. It’s been more than a physical detox; it’s a reset to evaluate my relationship with alcohol and its impact on my energy, mood, and overall well-being. So far, I’ve noticed:
✔️ Better sleep
✔️ Clearer thoughts
✔️ A deeper connection with myself

I’m fully embracing the zero-proof movement in NYC, exploring new social experiences without alcohol. The city has responded in incredible ways—bars offering creative mocktail menus, cozy spots where conversations take center stage, and indoor activities that keep things fun and engaging. It’s been a refreshing way to see my social life from a new perspective.

Well-Deserved Lazy Days

January and February give me the perfect excuse to slow down and fully indulge in life’s cozy little pleasures—the ones that always get pushed aside when things get hectic. Binge-watching shows like it’s a paid internship, falling down the latest TikTok rabbit hole of skin or hair care. One minute, I have no clue what rice water fermentation is; the next, I’m in my kitchen realizing I somehow already have all the ingredients like it was meant to be.

Then there are the home projects—because obviously, convincing myself that rearranging my entire apartment in one day will bring me inner peace is totally a rational decision and not at all a recipe for chaos.

And, of course, cooking meals so good that if my grandma saw me, she’d finally be proud (and maybe, just maybe, stop asking when I’m getting married for the second time).

And let’s not forget the solo dates—because, honestly, all this cooking deserves a purpose! After years of managing restaurants, I’ve mastered the art of curating five-star experiences at home, carefully setting the mood with the perfect lighting, snacks, music, and food. Chef’s kiss!

Let’s be real, though—I probably managed to juggle this entire list while on the phone with my loved ones back home, catching up on los chismes del pueblo for hours and hours. Multitasking at its finest. Maybe "lazy" isn’t the right word to name this section after all!

Owning My Story

As I share this self-reflection, I realize how much accountability fuels my happiness. Taking control of my narrative, accepting what I can and cannot change, and embracing my own pace empowers me. And maybe, by sharing this journey, I’ll connect with others who feel the same.

Here’s to an intentional and fulfilling 2025—on our own terms.

Breaking Free from New Year Expectations