Hey darling, welcome back to the blog!
Every December, once the Christmas tree is up and the house smells like cinnamon (thanks to my obsession with scented candles), I grab my notebook, a hot drink, and a slice of rum cake that I baked myself. It’s my favourite time to reflect, pray, and plan for the year ahead.
This year, though, feels a little different. My daughter, who’s now old enough to be fascinated by wrapping paper but not the gift inside, kept me on my toes all season. Between trying to potty train her (a daily game of hide-and-seek with her underwear) and making sure she didn’t climb the Christmas tree, I realised my approach to planning for 2025 needed to be simpler, more intentional, and fully centred on God.
I was already mentally running through my goals—maybe a new business venture, a fitness routine that lasts longer than a week. But then one evening, while my daughter was (finally) asleep, my husband was glued to the football match shouting, “Come on!” I had my “aha” moment. What if I created goals aligned with God’s word and not just my wish list? What if I let my faith lead the way this time? Suddenly, the idea of goal-setting felt lighter and way more exciting than the usual “lose five pounds and stop eating cake” kind of resolution.
So here I am, sipping my peppermint tea (with a splash of honey for that extra cosy vibe) and feeling ready to make 2025 a year of faith-filled, grace-driven goals. And if you’re anything like me—juggling life, family, and the occasional toddler tantrum while dreaming big and trying to stay spiritually grounded—this blog post is for you. I’m sharing how I’m preparing for the year ahead with a fresh perspective, rooted in faith.
Step 1: Write Out the Goals and Ask the Right Questions
I started by listing all the goals I think I want for 2025. And let’s be honest, some of them were ambitious (hello, dream holiday), and others were just plain random. But once everything was on paper, I asked myself two crucial questions:
- What is the reason behind this goal?
- Does this goal align with God’s will?
This was a real eye-opener. Some goals made me realize I was chasing validation or worldly success. So, I reevaluated, prayed over them, and re-centred my focus on God’s purpose for my life.
Step 2: Upgrade the Vision Board to a Scripture-Filled Prayer Board
I’m still adding the usual pictures to my vision board (because who doesn’t love a good visual reminder?), but I’m switching things up this year. Instead of motivational quotes or mantras, I’m adding scripture notes that speak directly to each goal.
For example:
- A picture of a happy family? I’ll pair it with “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
- A savings goal? I’ll add “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
This way, I’m not just setting goals, I’m inviting God into the process.
Step 3: Commit to Fasting
Fasting has always been something I knew I should do more consistently, so I’m making it a priority in 2025. My plan?
- A monthly fast (short and manageable).
- A 21-day fast at some point during the year (this one will need extra prayer and prep).
Fasting not only draws me closer to God but also clears my mind and resets my focus. Plus, it’s a reminder that my strength comes from Him, not my own efforts.
Step 4: Lean on a Support System
We can’t do it all alone, nor are we meant to. So, I started thinking about where I need support in 2025.
- If I want to do Bible study uninterrupted, I’ll ask my husband to handle bedtime with our daughter on those evenings.
- For each goal, I’m finding scriptures to lean on when I need encouragement.
- And I’m reaching out to my faith community to stay accountable.
Small changes, big impact.
Step 5: Create a Biblical Calendar
To keep myself on track, I’ve created a simple calendar. It’s got time blocked out for prayer, fasting, Bible study, and any spiritual goals (like finding a new church). Having everything laid out helps me stay consistent, even when life gets busy.
Step 6: Organise with Notebooks
If you’re like me and love a good notebook, you’ll appreciate this part. For 2025, I’ve set up three notebooks:
- Bible Study Notebook: This is where I jot down insights from my weekly studies or anything that stands out during prayer time.
- Bbibcal Topic Notebook: Think of this as my faith cheat sheet. This is where I jot down my biblical insights. It’s organised by topics like trust, peace, or patience, so I can flip to the right section whenever I’m facing a specific challenge.
- Prayer Request Notebook: This one’s new for me! I’ll write down my prayers, track when and how they’re answered, and reflect on God’s faithfulness. It’s a bit like a gratitude journal but focused on spiritual growth.
So, that’s how I’m approaching planning for 2025, less about my goals and more about His purpose. With a lot of prayer and plenty of grace, I’m feeling more excited than ever for the year ahead.
Now, my daughter is peacefully snuggled in bed, and my husband is finally letting me join him on the couch for our evening downtime. I’m feeling grateful for this quiet moment to reflect, and I’m reminding myself that perfection isn’t the goal here, progress is.
If you’re starting to think about your 2025 goals and plans, take a moment to invite God into the process. Trust me, it makes all the difference. And hey, if things get chaotic (and they will), just remember: His grace is sufficient for us.
So, what about you? How are you planning for the new year? Are you trying anything new, or sticking with your tried-and-true routine? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments. Let’s connect, share ideas, and walk into 2025 with faith, hope, and a whole lot of laughs (and hopefully fewer toddler tantrums).
Here’s to a year filled with blessings, laughter, and maybe a little less cake… or not. I’ll leave that up to you. Cheers, darling
Sending blessings your way!
Scherise. X
