Who else isn’t big on resolutions? I know I’m not. Instead, since 2014, I’ve been choosing a word for the year. It’s like a theme that sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s a small tradition that helps me focus and grow intentionally. Have you picked yours yet? Here’s my word for 2025:
Expand
To expand means to broaden, to stretch beyond what you already know, and to grow into something greater. That’s exactly what I’m planning to do this year.
It’s not about stepping out of my comfort zone. That phrase feels too forced.
Instead, it’s about extending my reach, building on what I know and love, and growing from there. Does that make sense?
On My Reading
If you’ve followed my book reviews and recommendations, you know romance novels are my go-to.
I can finish them in one sitting because they’re my favorite escape.
But this year, I’m mixing it up.
I’m adding non-fiction to my list—autobiographies and self-help books, specifically. I’ve already started with Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, and wow, it’s a journey.
Reading non-fiction is slower for me, and that’s okay.
Unlike romance, non-fiction isn’t meant to be devoured. It’s meant to be savored—absorbed in small bits, reflected on, and applied to life.
Health & Wellness
In addition to my usual Pilates and yoga routine, I’m bringing back something I used to love: dancing.
I don’t know why I stopped (thanks, adulting!), but it’s time to revisit that part of me.
I'd love your recommendations if you know of any fun, beginner-friendly dance classes (nothing like Zumba or overly complex choreography). Let’s keep it simple and joyful!
Career in Digital Marketing
Over the years, I’ve learned that clients value results over certifications. That said, continuous learning is essential—especially in digital marketing, where everything evolves quickly.
Pinterest Marketing
Last year, I started my journey as a Pinterest marketer, and it’s already been rewarding. My clients are seeing real, profitable results, and I’m just getting started. This year, I’m doubling down on Pinterest.
SEO Content Marketing
I am also sharpening my SEO skills. After all, content writing is my first love, and SEO is the magic that brings it to life for online businesses. There's something satisfying about typing a keyword and seeing the article on top of the search results page. Happy for my client and myself!
YouTube Videos
This isn’t a career move or a product I’m selling. It’s more of an experimental project for me.
I recently created a YouTube channel, Sound Sleep Solutions, featuring white noise and relaxing background audio. It’s perfect for:
- Focusing during work or study
- Meditating and finding calm
- Improving sleep quality
- Adding a soothing background soundtrack to your day
What’s next?
To align with my 2025 word, Expand, I’m taking this project further:
- Uploading content to YouTube Music (I just discovered it’s a separate platform!).
- Sharing my tracks on Spotify for broader reach.
- Adding more white noise options and creating new relaxing music tracks to cater to diverse preferences.
If you’re looking for peaceful sounds to enhance your day, I’d love for you to check it out. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome! 😊
Selling Digital Products
I started selling digital products on Amazon last year.
My Amazon, Tales N Doodles, sells children’s coloring books and journal notebooks with witty covers (you can see previews of the products on the right side of this page if you're reading with your laptop).
I’m expanding my collection with adult coloring books and upgraded journals this 2025.
Journaling has been a big part of my life lately, so why not create something others will love, too?
I have other plans I'm excited about. Stay tuned for more!
Expanding My Circle
I wish I could say I’m joining clubs or doing volunteer work this year, but let’s be honest—that’s a no for me.
As an introvert, homebody, and self-proclaimed anti-social human, I’m perfectly content with my circle as it is.
However, I am expanding my online network by connecting with fellow book lovers on Bookstagram and Goodreads. If you’re there too, let’s link up!
Travels and Experiences
Fingers crossed that 2025 brings more opportunities to explore new places and create unforgettable memories. While I can’t make solid plans yet due to personal and logistical reasons, I’m hopeful. Here’s to manifesting positive outcomes!
Past Words for Inspiration
If you’re thinking of choosing a word for your year, here are some of mine from the past for inspiration:
- 2024: Elevate – Improving in what I do and who I am.
- 2023: No – Saying no to the less important so I can say yes to what truly matters.
- 2020: Premium – Choosing not to settle for less.
- 2019: Milestone – A year of many firsts.
- 2018: Spontaneous – Embracing spontaneity, even as a control freak.
- 2017: Winning – Overcoming inner battles and emerging victorious.
- 2016: Unorthodox – Doing things differently and stepping out of character when necessary.
- 2015: Better – Striving to be better than the year before.
- 2014: More – Saying yes to more experiences, opportunities, and growth.
Word for 2025
Have you chosen your word for 2025? I’d love to hear it!
Whatever it is, I pray this will be a year of breakthroughs, answered prayers, and healing for us all.
10 comments
You sound busy.
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of luck with all of your projects. I had a busy 2024 and hoping there will be work in 2025 as well. Freedom would be my word as this should be a year when people gain freedom from evil systems and governments.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lux!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2025 to you and your family, dear friend!
You aren't the only person I know who has modified the traditional new year resolution list into an inspirational theme word or two. I think it's a great idea, because you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and abandoning your resolutions within a few days or weeks. Yessum, in the NLP seminars I took and taught, we were encouraged to "stretch." That was the word we used, but I like "expand" better. Everything I read is non-fiction, and I admire you for expanding your reading to include books in that broad category.
At 75, I still occasionally dance in the privacy of home when motivated by music or simply to test my dexterity. You might try exploring YouTube for videos containing various types of dances. There are many tutorials along with videos that demonstrate dance expertise, such as the one currently running on my blog, the various pairs dancing to the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive." Those dancers make me green with envy! Try this trick. Use the Y/T settings to adjust the playback speed, slowing it down to half or even quarter of normal speed. By doing this, you can more easily examine and imitate a skilled dancer's body position and movements. As you learn the steps, you can gradually increase the PB speed in increments until you return to normal. Another video I highly recommend is Edwin Starr performing his 1969 hit "25 Miles" on the music TV show Upbeat! It pops up immediately if you enter those words in the YouTube search box. Watch "Lynda," the Upbeat dancer in the blue skirt and white top at the left rear of your screen. She is an incredible dancer!
I will check out and subscribe to your SSS channel. I love to relax and drift off to sleep to the sound of rainfall, waterfalls and other types of white noise. I have learned that there several other "colors" of noise as well, not to mention ASMR. There's an expanding universe of therapeutic sound available to us. You have exciting marketing and sales strategies in mind for 2025, and I wish you success in all of your enterprises. You and I have a lot in common. We are both introverts who, nevertheless, routinely put ourselves out there before the public where we face potential criticism and judgement. I too would describe myself as an anti-social human, meaning that I have never been a big "joiner" and that I prefer a small circle of friends who get me and don't judge me. Thank you for accepting me into your circle, Lux! I am excited for you as you seek new travel destinations and experiences in the coming year.
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Seeing as how I have returned to my "dormancy" blogging phase until I publish again on Jan. 24, I would like to take a moment here and now to reply to your kind comment at Shady's Place. I'm delighted that you enjoyed my preview/review of the series Evil. It is brilliantly written and acted and great fun to watch. Kristen's four young daughters are scene stealers, the most natural depiction of real children I think I have ever seen on TV. Evil is available on Paramount+ and Netflix, and I do hope you give it a try. It gets better with every episode. You made me smile when you told me that you are still processing the trauma you went through from watching Wilderness, another series I recently featured on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI don't live at the Shady Dell. It is a place where I hung-out and danced in my teen years. Yessum, one of the "sticky" pictures atop my blog page is the real Shady Dell attic. The picture was taken circa 2011 by Kathleen Mae Schneider, daughter of Margaret Schneider, the old woman pictured in my right sidebar - The Oldest Living Dell Rat - the one who first lived at the newly built Dell with her family in 1913 when she was only a year old. The girls in the picture are Margaret's great (or possibly great great) granddaughters. The lighting and the way the girls are positioned make it one of the most magical photos I've ever seen. It looks AI-generated and yet it is absolutely real, and that's why I chose it to remain at the top of my page.
Mrs. Shady and I had a nice holiday period. We went to New York City for four days to visit our granddaughter who lives and works there. We had a wonderful time and saw the NYC Christmas decorations.
What a great friend you are, Lux! Thank you for following me at Shady's Place for another year. Like you, I look forward to all the teaching, learning, sharing, caring and entertaining that is in store for both of us in 2025.
Once again, happy new year to you and yours, dear friend Lux!
Not a word, but I am working on a paragraph.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you will be very expansive indeed. May you receive clarity from God about what's next in this new year for you. Step into your God given destiny!
ReplyDeleteBe blessed,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Good word
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have big plans for 2025. Expand sounds like the perfect word. Good luck inballyour ventures.
ReplyDeleteI meant 'in all your ventures' i saw the typo just as I clicked and then it was too late!
ReplyDelete"Expand" is such an empowering word for 2025! I love how you're embracing growth in so many areas of your life, from expanding your reading habits to diving deeper into your career and even exploring new creative projects like YouTube. The balance of personal growth—whether through health, learning, or embracing new hobbies like dancing—adds a beautiful, holistic touch to your year. Your focus on intentional progress rather than forcing yourself out of your comfort zone is refreshing. It's exciting to see you pursue passions like Pinterest marketing and digital products while also keeping a grounded approach to self-care. Best of luck with all your plans for the year ahead!
ReplyDelete