I love a good book, as you likely know. This makes it no surprise that this year’s word (or concept) of the year is inspired by a book I read and loved in 2024.
The book is What Does it Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella. I hadn’t read a Kinsella book in years, but then I saw a review of this book, which is a fiction version of Kinsella’s real-life diagnosis with brain cancer.
Sometimes, a book just comes to you at the right time. When that happens, I tend to consume it and feel like reading it was life-changing. That’s exactly what I felt after reading this book. I was inspired, and it led me to my word of 2025.
Regular+: My Word (Concept) of the Year
In What Does it Feel Like?, Eve is a successful novelist who is walking the red carpet at the movie premiere of her most recent book. The next thing we know, she wakes up in the hospital with little memory and a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer.
In the book, Eve has a brain scan that signifies that the cancer isn’t advancing. Then, she has a conversation with her husband about what they should do with this time it feels like they’ve been given. Eve googles what’s common on people’s bucket lists. Here’s what she says:
“OK, here’s the thing. I’ve done a lot of exciting, bucket-listy stuff in my life. I’ve done glamorous travel and I’ve walked the red carpet and I’ve swum with dolphins. I don’t need to do any more of that stuff. I just need to be around. Have fun with the children. Have fun with you. See friends. Small pleasures.”
Now, I haven’t done all the things this fictional character has done — not by far. But I do live a pretty blessed life. I related to Eve about how the little things in life really are the big things. This next part got me:
“Maybe I don’t want a bucket list at all. I think what I want is just to live like we do anyway—you know, do our work and go for walks and watch Come Dine with Me—but have a slightly nicer version of it. Normal but better. Call it ‘Normal plus.’ ”
Here’s where I need to confess. Since reading the book, I’ve described this concept to a couple of people, including my husband and best friend. When describing it, I screwed up the name. I’ve been calling it “Regular plus,” and that’s exactly the concept I plan to embrace in 2025.
How I’ll Practice Regular+
So, what will Regular+ look like in my life? What does it mean to me? It will be all about recognizing and leveling up the little things that make me happy. I will continue focusing on being intentional, which was my word for 2024, but I will level up opportunities when possible.
Examples of how I anticipate applying Regular+:
- Buy the Tickets. Whether it be a concert, movie, sporting event, or another experience, we’ll buy the tickets without hesitation and do the thing.
- Plan the Happening. I love entertaining. This year, I’ll continue being intentional about planning outings with loved ones and hosting them at our home.
- Enjoy the Time. Something that often hits me hard: We think we have time. We think we have time with our loved ones. We don’t know, and it’s always limited. We must focus on enjoying the time we have.
- Use the Stuff. Write with the good pen. Wear the favorite shirt. Spray on the good perfume. Only fill my life with things I really love. Get rid of all the other stuff. Love the stuff I use and use the stuff I love.
- Love Myself. I’m a constant work in progress, and I love that. I want to continue taking care of me this year, whether that looks like practicing mindfulness or actually scheduling out my hair appointments. I’m responsible for me, and I deserve to be treated as best I can treat myself.
My guess is that this concept will evolve a lot during the year. But overall, I think it will help me stop hesitating and lean into the life we work hard for, deserve, and that truly makes us happy.
My 2025 Goals
I try to break down my goals to reflect my priorities, which don’t change much from year to year. My priorities are in this order:
- Me
- My little family
- My bigger family and close friends
- Work and professional development
Sometimes, I go into the year knowing some goals (like my reading plan), while others are less solidified. Here are my 2025 goals in no particular order.
Reading
To read 200 books by Jan. 1, 2026.
I read 200 books for the first time in 2023. I wanted to do it again in 2024, but I didn’t quite get there, so I’m setting the same goal again. Why? Because I want to say that I’m a person who reads 200 books a year. I can’t say that if I haven’t done it more than once.
Reading is my favorite hobby. I love relaxing with a good book, reading excellent writing, and learning from others. My reading goal is always a win, even if I don’t reach it.
Related to this goal and Regular+, I would like to read more physical books this year. I love physical books, but I tend to go more for the convenience that comes with digital.
Mental Health
To continue understanding and improving my mental health by establishing a journaling habit in 2025.
You may remember that establishing a journaling habit was one of my 2024 goals. I didn’t do well. I journaled more than I have in the past, but I still didn’t do it more often than not. I’m keenly aware of the mental health benefits of journaling, so I want to continue developing this habit.
I plan to journal every day, with the goal of journaling more days than not. When I finish a notebook, I’ll review and reflect on what I’ve written. Of course, I can do this before then if I want to go back and review the entries.
To continue understanding and improving my mental health by establishing a mindfulness habit in 2025.
Mindfulness is the simplest way to improve your overall emotional health. It can be done anywhere and with no tools. It also goes right along with Regular+.
I want to stop and enjoy the sun on my face, sit in peace while I drink my coffee in the family room, and practice mindfulness every day.
In addition to these goals, I will continue focusing on gratitude. Not only is this part of improving my mental health, but it also goes right along with Regular+. I will continue to recognize glimmers and send daily gratitude texts.
Health
To continue my health journey, including my daily exercise/movement routine.
I’ve shed quite a bit of weight in the last several years. I feel so much better, both physically and emotionally, so I’m going to keep on going.
I’ve also developed a daily exercise and movement habit. It started with 20 minutes a day in 2020 and has grown to 40 minutes a day. My friend Nanci and I check in with each other and keep one another accountable. It’s been good for me, and being accountable to her helps a lot.
What I haven’t talked about much is a recent diagnosis. I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel. Needless to say, I knew something wasn’t right, but I was pretty shocked by being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about our overall treatment plan, but this makes my diet, weight, and movement even more important than ever to keep my body healthy and functioning.
Social – No Specific Goal
I realized a couple of years ago that I was still mentally on lockdown from 2020 and COVID. I basically wasn’t going anywhere or doing anything with friends, and it was making me feel unnecessarily lonely.
In 2023, one of my goals was to do one social thing a week for the year. I did pretty well with it and have continued the idea. Some weeks, I do more than one thing. Other weeks, I take a rest.
In 2024, I will continue prioritizing time with loved ones who fill my cup.
Professional Development – No Specific Goal
Let me tell you something: 2024 had the potential to be a professional mess, but I came out on top with the help of my network.
I’m happy with where I am professionally. I started a new full-time role in 2024 and plan to continue growing into it this year. I also added the two regular freelance clients that aspired to add this year, and I’m happy with my overall workload.
While I’m not setting a specific professional development goal in 2025, I want to continue working on my professional growth. I’d also like to get back in the classroom this year and continue growing my freelance business.
There probably are some other habits that I’ll add along the way, but these are my primary goals for this year.
Here We Grow!
I love the possibilities of a new year, don’t you? Working on myself is my favorite project, so I try to hone in and be realistic about what I can do in a year and what really matters.
What is your word or goal this year? If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear about it.
